Two MQM workers gunned down in Shah Faisal Town

Tensions ran high in Shah Faisal Colony as two activists of the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) were gunned down on Thursday in two separate incidents - both of which occurred in the same area.

One of the workers, 25-year-old Zeeshan alias Shano, son of Moinuddin, was killed at Colony Gate within the jurisdiction of Shah Faisal Colony police station on Thursday afternoon.

Zeeshan worked at MQM’s unit number 105 in Shah Faisal No. 4.

According to the police investigators, Zeeshan was travelling in his car (AEP-542) when some unidentified motorcyclists opened fire at him and escaped from the site.

Zeeshan was shot once in his chest from a distance of 14 metres, said the medico-legal officer at Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre.

Earlier, the law and order situation in various parts of the city had already worsened when an MQM activist was shot dead in Shah Faisal Colony No. 4 early Thursday.

Violence erupted in different parts of the city when Waqar alias Teelo, son of Khuda Bukshm was gunned down.

Waqar’s funeral prayers were performed at a mosque in Jama Masjid Hanfia and he was buried at the Azeem Pura graveyard.

Several people took to the streets and torched vehicles, restaurants and even resorted to aerial firing. The areas affected worst by these riots were Shah Faisal No. 1 and No. 4, Azeem Pura, Alfalah, Malir-15 and Millat Town.

A police constable, Zulfiqar, son of Pyara Khan, also sustained bullet injuries in Shah Faisal Colony while he was on duty. Zulfiqar was deployed in the city from Police Headquarters in Malir.

According to the police and eyewitnesses, all shops were closed down in Shah Faisal No. 1 and No. 4, Colony gate, Goli Maar, some parts of Lalu Khait and surrounding areas.

Even though heavy contingents of police have been deployed in the area, the situation remained tensed.

Some rioters even blocked roads by burning tyres and forcing shops to remain closed.

A Shehzore truck (LSA-6406) was also set ablaze by rioters. Kakar and Super Kakar restaurants were burnt and their workers were also injured in the riots. Taj Juice centre, a popular hangout in Shah Faisal Colony was also burnt down.

Six juice vendors were also harassed and their carts were damaged. Rioters also set fire to three motorcycles.

The angry mob at Shah Faisal Colony pelted stones at two passenger buses breaking their windows. Their drivers managed to escape, said an eyewitness.

SP Tanveer Alam insisted that the police have been making all efforts. “We have managed to control the situation in most parts of the city but the situation in some areas still remains tense,” Alam said.

He added that a heavy contingent of the police and Rangers have been sent to Shah Faisal Colony. The police have yet to register an FIR.

After the series of sectarian killings in the city, political killings have also restarted. Parties, such as MQM, Jamaat-i-Islami, Pakistan Peoples Party and Jeay Sindh have lost members in the past three days.

Meanwhile an activist of Ahle Sunnat Wal Jamaat was also injured by firing. Babu was shot Thursday evening by unidentified armed men near Jinnah Square within the jurisdiction of Saudabad police station. He was rushed to Abbasi Shaheed Hospital where doctors said that his condition was stable.

Rangers arrest over 70 suspects

Sindh Rangers carried out search operations in different areas of Karachi, including Korangi, Kati Pahar and Surjani Town, on Thursday and arrested over 70 persons. They have been handed over to the relevant police stations for investigations.

The spokesperson for Pakistan Rangers said that the search operation has been designed to rid the city of weapons as well as criminal elements.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 25^th, 2010.