No let-up: Karachi violence death toll rises to 13

At least 8 more people, including activists of political parties, gunned down and one vehicle set ablaze.

KARACHI:

Four more people lost their lives in Karachi on Monday as the spate of target killings continued, bringing the death toll to 13 since last night.

Two of the killings took place in Nazimabad.

The third man was killed in the Lee Market area while another was shot dead in Gulistan-e-Jauhar.

A bus in Jauhar was also torched and firing continues in the area.

Updated from print edition (below)

No let-up: Nine more men killed in drive-by shootings

Target killings continued unabated on Sunday, marking the fourth consecutive day of political violence in the city. At least eight more people, including activists of political and nationalist parties, were gunned down and one vehicle was set ablaze.

With Sunday’s killings, the death toll since Thursday night has risen to 30.

Muttahida Qaumi Movement activist Imran Ajmairi, 31, was killed at his Halwa Puri shop on Ranchore Lines within the precincts of the Napier police station. According to SHO Nawaz Gondal, it was the same story - two culprits on a motorcycle shot the victim. Ajmairi had multiple bullet injuries and he succumbed to them at the Civil hospital.

A crowd of MQM workers reached the hospital where they criticised the government and law-enforcement agencies over the incessant killings.

Tension and chaos prevailed in Saddar, including Ranchore Lines, Mughal Compound, Garden, Nanak Wara and nearby areas. Residents also staged a protest over the killings and burnt tyres, blocking traffic.

A bus was also torched on Nishtar Road, allegedly by unidentified assailants. Police officials said Ajmairi was a resident of Nishtar Road and was associated with MQM’s unit-29. A heavy contingent of law enforcers were called to the scene. No case has been registered yet.

Separately, a leader of the Jeay Sindh Qaumi Mahaz (JSQM), 44-year-old Younus Khan was gunned down in Old Haji Camp when he was returning home after offering Fajr prayers. The Napier police said he was killed in the patent drive-by shootings.

However, SHO Nawaz Gondal said he might have not been killed over political affiliation, but over narcotics as he had several related cases registered against him. An FIR was registered against the murder on behalf of Khan’s brother.

Meanwhile, 24-year-old Nadir Shah was killed near Kati Pahari in Qasba Colony within the limits of the Pirabad police station. Police officials said he was playing cricket when he was shot dead. He lived in Orangi and was associated with the Awami National Party’s Muslimabad Ward. No case was registered.

Ejaz Ahmed, 28, was found dead near al Basit Hotel. There was a dispute between Baghdadi and Kharadar police stations over the jurisdiction. Officials told The Express Tribune that Ahmed was affiliated with the Peoples Amn Committee and was a resident of Kalakot, Lyari. He was kidnapped, killed and his body was dumped, officials revealed.

In Gulshan-e-Iqbal, two men were shot dead at a workshop in the Post Office Society. Fifty-year-old Shahid Ali and Hasnain Ali were taken to the nearest private hospital where they died. According to SHO Izhar Hussain, empty shells of a 9mm pistol were found from the crime scene. Police officials informed that Shahid had links with different parties and may have been killed over suspicion of being an informant. FIR No. 172/11 has been registered against unidentified persons.

Nineteen-year-old Zahid was gunned down in Jhanda Chowk. He used to sell biryani at Firdous Colony and that is where the incident occurred. He was shot once in the head and died on the way to Abbasi Shaheed Hospital. The police have registered FIR No. 37/11.

In Pirabad, Nisar Khan was leaving the Subhani Masjid after Fajr prayers when he was killed. He was shot in the head and he died instantly. His body was taken to the Abbasi Shaheed Hospital for an autopsy. Police officials said he had no link with any political or religious organisation and ran his own cloth business. Nisar Khan hailed from Afghanistan, they added.

One more ANP man, 35-year-old Alam Zaib was killed in Qasba Colony. ANP spokesman Qadir Khan said the incident occurred when residents were staging a protest over the killing of Nadir the party’s Nadir Shah. “Protesters were trying to block traffic and the Rangers opened fire straight at them,” he alleged. The spokesman announced that the victim’s family has decided to offer the funeral prayers outside Bilawal House on Monday (today).

Moreover, at least five people were injured in separate incidents of firing in Sacchal police precincts.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 14^th, 2011.