Tension prevails: Six people shot dead in a fresh wave of violence

Lawyer shot dead as situation remains rocky.

KARACHI:

Parts of the city remained tense on Saturday as at least four people, including a lawyer associated with the Karachi Bar Association, were killed in a fresh wave of violence.

A 56-year-old lawyer, Advocate Syed Mukhtiar Abbas Bukhari, was gunned down in Sheesha Market in Bohra Pir. The Eidgah police said that the incident took place while Bukhari was going home in his silver Toyota Corolla from the City Courts to Abbas Town in Gulshan-e-Iqbal when assailants shot and killed him.

Witnesses told The Express Tribune that two men on a motorcycle first intercepted the victim’s car and then shot him in the head. He was taken to Civil hospital where he died.

The Anti-Extremism Cell’s chief, SSP Chaudhry Mohammad Aslam Khan, told The Express Tribune that “the deceased dealt with cases of Shias who were suspected of belonging to the banned Sipah-e-Muhammad Pakistan. He had arrested many people especially in target killing cases. He was probably killed by the rival sectarian group.”

The KBA president, Mohammad Aqil, strongly condemned the incident and announced that the courts would be boycotted on Monday. “This is not the first incident, several lawyers have already been killed and all the circumstances suggest that the government and law enforcement agencies have failed to restore peace in the city,” said Aqil.

He announced that a general body meeting would be held in the City Courts to discuss future plans. He said that Bukhari had informed the KBA about receiving threats from unidentified men a couple of weeks ago. Aqil added that the KBA had submitted an application to the authorities to provide Bukhari with security but no steps had been taking in this regard.

Millat-e-Jafaria announced a day of mourning on Sunday over the incident and demanded that the culprits be arrested.

A Shia scholar, Allama Abbas Kumaili, told The Express Tribune that he suspects a conspiracy is being hatched against the Shias. However, he termed Bukhari’s killing as ‘sectarian violence.’

SHO Mohammad Nawaz said that the culprits escaped before the police reached the site. He also informed The Express Tribune that a small weapon, most probably 30-bore pistol was used. The SHO said that details were still being gathered and it would be premature to state the motive of the crime.

Bukhari was the father of four children, his funeral prayers were offered at Ancholi Imambargah after Zuhr. No case has been registered as yet.

Separately, unidentified armed men shot 36-year-old Tahir, in Urdu Nagar. Malir City police said that the deceased was a resident of Saudia Colony in Khokhrapar and a vegetable vendor by profession.

Civil Line police reported the death of Khalid Mehmood, 25, who was shot dead near the railway tracks in Hijrat Colony.

He was a salesman by profession and was on his motorcycle when two armed men riding a motorcycle gunned him down. He died at the spot. Separately, a twelve-year-old boy identified as Chandu, was killed while another Gul Rehman, 54, was wounded during a clash between two groups near Juna market.The clash was said to be between political party activists and Lyari’s gangsters over the installation of street barriers. Napier police said that Chandu was flying a kite on his roof when a stray bullet killed him.

Two people were injured during a cross fire between two groups in Baldia Town. Saeedabad police said that the injured were identified as Rafiq and Khalid. They were taken to the Civil hospital.

New Karachi police said that a 40-year-old teashop owner was gunned down. Abdul Bari was sitting at his cash counter when unidentified armed men arrived on a motorcycle and began to fire indiscriminately. He died at the stop, he was taken to Abbasi Shaheed Hospital.

The victim hailed from Quetta and police suspected that he was killed due to personal enmity. His killing created much tension in New Karachi and its surrounding areas.

Separately, a man was shot dead in Bhittaiabad. Sachal police station’s SHO, Ghulam Shabbir, said that Sikander Chandio used to run a public call office and had no affiliation with any political party. He was shot and killed by two armed men over property dispute.



Published in The Express Tribune, July 24^th, 2011.