Mehmoodabad shuts down: In first case of violence, 3 census workers shot dead

In the last 24 hours, eight men have fallen victim to target killings.

KARACHI:

In the first case of violence against staff reported since the census started, three government employees were shot dead in Mehmoodabad on Tuesday.

Police said the men were collecting data for the ongoing house count when the suspects shot them near Mehmoodabad Gate at around 1:45 pm. Syed Asif Ali, 45, 40-year-old Naeem and Munir, 55, were critically injured. They were taken to Jinnah hospital where they were pronounced dead.

According to doctors, Asif had four bullet wounds, Naeem was shot five times and Munir was shot once in the head. “I saw two [of the] suspects fleeing on a motorcycle and one running on foot,” said a witness. “A car was also seen. It looked like back-up.” Witnesses said Asif was shot first.

SHO Ahsan Zulfiqar said the initial investigation suggested that Asif was the target. “It looks like they feared Asif’s colleagues and so killed them also.”

Asif was an employee of the fire brigade department, Naeem worked at the Karachi Water and Sewerage Board (KWSB), while Munir was a retired employee of the Excise and Sales Tax and was currently working with a union council in Mehmoodabad.

Police said suspects used 9mm pistols and empty shells were found from the crime scene. “Everyone knows who is involved in the target killing incidents and why,” said the SHO. “So why you are asking me about the motive and the elements responsible?”

After the killing, intense firing was reported. Shops in Mehmoodabad and its surrounding areas immediately shut down. The deployment of Rangers and the police also increased the tension in the city.

The men were also Muttahida Qaumi Movement activists and the party’s Rabita Committee condemned the incident and demanded arrests.

Asif and Munir were residents of Mehmoodabad while Naeem used to live in Khuda ki Basti in Surjani Town.

This was not the only violence reported on Tuesday. Earlier in the day, unidentified men opened fire on a hotel in Pehlwan Goth, killing 18-year-old Shamsul Haq and injuring another, Hazrat Ali. Both victims were said to be affiliated with the Awami National Party. ANP spokesman Qadir Khan confirmed the victims were party’s supporters.

In the last 24 hours, eight people have fallen victim to target killings in Karachi in three separate incidents. A day earlier, three Mohajir Qaumi Movement-Haqiqi members were identically gunned down.

MQM-H leaders laid to rest

The Mohajir Qaumi Movement-Haqiqi vice chairman, Akhtar Hussain, and two other activists were laid to rest on Tuesday. The funeral prayers were offered in Sherpao Colony after Maghrib and they were buried at the Rehri Goth Graveyard in Landhi amid tight security.

Scores of MQM-H leaders, workers, supporters and the victims’ relatives attended and burial. The three workers were gunned down at Tariq Road when they were returning from Central Jail, Karachi after visiting the party’s chief Afaq Ahmed.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 13^th,  2011.