Karachi traffic situation. PHOTO: BILAL Z KHAN
KARACHI: At least seven people were killed in separate incidents of violence in Karachi, while businesses were forced to close across the city. A number of gunshot injuries were also reported.
Panic and fear spread across the metropolis as reports poured in of unidentified gunmen firing in many parts of the city, forcefully closing down businesses and blocking roads. Unknown individuals also torched vehicles and set tyres on fire in the worst affected areas.
The resultant rush of people exiting marketplaces and offices caused massive traffic jams on many roads. The Karachi Transport Ittehad also announced that they were suspending public transport plying on the streets.
Hyderabad and other parts of interior Sindh also shutdown after firing by unknown people.
Police and hospitals were put on high alert, while the Private Schools Association announced that schools would be closed for an indefinite period of time.
Rangers in Karachi, who had earlier carried out an operation in the city, arrested a number of suspects involved in the forceful closure of marketplaces.
Amid the violence, the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) announced they would observe a peaceful movement against the government’s inefficiency following the attack in Abbas Town.
Addressing the press conference, Raza Haroon said that MQM Chief Altaf Hussain had condemned the Abbas Town blast and had demanded the government arrest the terrorists involved within three days, otherwise, the MQM would observe a democratic protest.
Condemning the government’s incompetence, Haroon said that this protest movement will continue till government arrests the culprits responsible for the attack.
“We appeal to the people of Karachi to stay peaceful and support the peaceful protest,” he said, before adding, “We request the people of Karachi, especially traders, factory owners, shop keepers, transporters and people belonging to other walks of life, to keep their businesses shut until the terrorists are arrested.”
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END OF LIVE UPDATES
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6:55pm
A 40-year-old man, Qadir Hussain, son of Maqool Hussain, was gunned down by unidentified armed men in Sector 14-A, Korangi Town No 2/1-2, within the precincts of Zaman Town police station.
The body was brought to Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre (JPMC) for a postmortem.
Police said the man was an employee of a garment factory and was on his way to workplace early this morning when armed men targeted him.
The victim received one bullet in his face and died on the spot.
Separately, the body of a man, aged around 25, bearing bullets marks was found near Malir River, Jaam Goth, Malir Town, within the Jurisdiction of Memon Goth police station.
The identity of the man could not be ascertained as yet. The body was shifted to JPMC for medico-legal formalities.
Similarly, 36-year-old Rashid, son of Piaray Khan, was killed by dacoits over robbery resistance in Landhi Town No 36-B within the remit of Landhi police station.
The body was shifted to JPMC for an autopsy.
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6:30pm
Two officials of Pakistan Rangers Sindh Hawaldar Muneer Ahmed Bhutto and Aijaz Ahmed Baloch, are reportedly missing since Tuesday.
They were performing security duty in Nazimabad.
Both the officials, posted near Nazimabad Post Office, had left for home after off time at 3.00pm but didn't reach home,
A local journalist Nawaz Bhutto, cousin of Muneer, told PPI that both these rangers were going back home after performing their respective duties.
Nawaz said that the cell phones of the missing Hawaldars were switched off.
The rangers assured the relatives that the search for missing officials was underway.
When contacted Major Sibtain, spokesman of Rangers, was unaware of the missing personnel and said that he would check.
Despite few rumours, the cellular services are fully functional.
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6:15pm
A bus was torched in New Karachi.
Businesses and markets close down in Sukkur.
In total three cars and one motorcycle put on fire.
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5:50 pm
Rangers Sindh has arrested two miscreants from the Shahbaz commercial area in the Defence Housing Authority (DHA). They were trying to close down shops and loot people. The rangers claim that miscreants belong to a political party.
Rangers have arrested few members of the Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) people and also recovered a suicide bomb jacket from Sohrab Goth.
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5:35pm
All private schools will remain shut in Karachi tomorrow for an indefinite period, announced the Private Schools Association. It is unclear how many schools this association represents.
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5:25pm
In Hyderabad, miscreants have blocked the roads.
Unrest continues in Liberty Chowk and Latifabad areas.
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5:10pm
Deputy Speaker of Sindh Assembly Shehla Raza said, “There is a specific group in Karachi which does not want to maintain peace in the area.” She was addressing a press conference.
Rangers arrest two people with weapons, in Defence, as they were trying to shut down shops.
One person killed in Landhi.
Police still cannot be seen on the streets to control the situation.
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5:00pm
“The Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) is carrying out a peaceful protest and we urge people to participate in it to show commiseration with the affectees of Abbas Town blast,” said the MQM leader Raza Haroon while addressing a press conference.
He specifically urged the traders, factory owners, shop keepers, transporters to take part in the protest.
Meanwhile, three vehicles torched in Landhi, Samnabad and on National Highway.
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4:45pm
Reports of aerial firing in Defence and Clifton. All shops in the area have been closed, as have a majority of the petrol pumps.
Aerial firing in Mirpurkhaas hence, businesses have been closed.
Police is still waiting for instructions from authorities.
People resorting to aerial firing in Nawabshah.
Firing in Latifabad, Landhi and markets closed down.
Businesses in Hyderabad closed and tyres being burnt on streets. People with sticks are patrolling the streets and breaking windows of cars.
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4:25pm
Two cars burnt on National Highway.
Police cannot be seen on the streets.
There is a severe traffic jam on the road from Shahra-e-Faisal to Airport.
Car burnt at Al Noor roundabout.
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4:15pm
MQM member 'Shahzad' killed in Malir.
A political party has shut down 50% of Karachi due to the Abbas Town issue.
According to Express News, unknown armed men started firing in Rizvia Society I I Chandrigar Road, Burns Road, Purana Golimar, Orangi Town, Korangi, Landhi and other areas.
Three cars have been set on fire so far.
Police put on high alert across the city. Snap checking has started in the worst-affected areas.
There is a Traffic jam in MA Jinnah Road, Tower, Nazimabad, Gulistan-e-Jauhar and Rashid Minhas Road.
Army Chief visited the Core commander headquarter and the Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR) core commander briefed him about Karachi’s situation.
Firing in Tando Allahyar; markets shut down.
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4:00pm
Karachi, Hyderabad and parts of interior Sindh shutdown after firing from unknown people.
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3:50 pm
Firing at Shafeeq Mor killed one person. Another person was gunned down in Buffer Zone while a third was shot dead in Gulistan-e-Jauhar.
One person was injured in a firing incident near Jauhar Complex.
The violence suddenly kicked up in the afternoon. Shops were closed and business came to a standstill.
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3:40 pm
The Karachi Transport Ittehad has also announced that they are suspending public transport plying the streets.
Hospitals have been directed to remain on high alert.
There were reports of some petrol pumps being shut down as well.
The situation was reported to be tense in Malir, Gulshan-e-Iqbal and Federal B Area. There were reports of aerial firing in many areas as well, spreading fear and panic.
In another report, a blaze in New Sabzi Mandi escalated. Fire brigades were called in from all areas of Karachi. The cause of the fire is still unknown.
COMMENTS (55)
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The 'naamaloom' elements are not merely 'afraad' but terrorists, and should be called as such. Lets not trivialise their misdeeds, and lets not vote for them, ever again.
We all know who those na-maloom afraad are.
First of all, I really liked a new style in the headings as the writer used Urdu words "namaloom afraad". on the other hand, it is really very sad that people are being massacred on daily basis in Karachi a lot. There is a complete mayhem in Karachi. Law enforcement agencies have failed to overcome the situation in Karachi.
Today's politics has become a business with high stakes marketed and controlled through fear.............those who can put greatest fear in people of them can only win to rule ................BTW our news channels have become a very effective tool send the fear alerts across.
Stranger than fiction!
Sad! :/ May Allah protect and guide us to the right path!
I request UN to help save our lives, local politicians have all failed.
Whatever happened to the long propogated claims that such "Namaloom Afraad" who are creating disturbances are RAW, CIA, MOSSAD OR M16 agent?
Really like the title of this page
The tragedy is that everyone know who are behind ‘Namaloom Afraad’, but no one has courage to say their name!!!
"Rangers Sindh has arrested two miscreants from the Shahbaz commercial area in the Defence Housing Authority (DHA). They were trying to close down shops and loot people. The rangers claim that miscreants belong to a political party." --- Man Up and Name that political party !!!
.. I think Taliban are involved in this :)
Democracy would work if people vote for right representatives. Enough of these dishonest politicians! People should unite against these selfish politicians.
Please ARMY, come to KHI.. Doodh ka doodh, paani ka paani.
All this drama is being done to ensure Army does not "actually" do anything in Karachi, and secondly to ensure that voters are so scared that they don't step out to vote in this upcoming election where "millions of people who haven't voted before are expected to take part".
Rangers have arrested few members of the Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) people and also recovered a suicide bomb jacket from Sohrab Goth.
What a joke! Did they check their TTP id cards?
I'm sure the Pakistan army is behind all this....coz it knows ki they wont be able to takeover the govt by force so they are creating the circumstances which will force the govt or the public to invite the army to take over and so illegal thing would be done legally.....simple....
Is this protest against their Governor, or 5 years long partners???
This is the time Army action required. Seem mis reporting. Bombing took place near Iqra City and Rabia flower not in Abbas Town. Both community people died, no genocide of any specific sect, a false accusation. Need to bring perpetrators of this killing as well as all those involved in sectarian killing in Karachi. Army action need in all districts no question of Masoomeen and Mazloomeen but all suspected target killers should be brought to justice including those who burnt buses and other vehicles in district central, south and other districts. Religious sectarian leaders of Karachi who staged sit in time by time, disturbed citizens lives and demanded their suspects to be released, should also be brought to justice.
Media needs to take the responsibility to act responsible. By far everyone from south to north knows who owns Karachi. When current events would be written as history in future, media would certainly be given the lion's share of blame for giving a black eye to the country one way or the other.
Since when peaceful protest means gun firing and burning of vehicles!
Either these NA MALOOM AFRAAD are in the government or against the government or state
Agreed.....military rule is the only thing that can function in this country......clearly democracy has failed....... and those people sitting on the seats...lets not even go there....
"Chief of Army Staff General Ashfaq Pervez Kayani visited the Corps Headquarters in Karachi on Wednesday where he was briefed about the security situation in the city" This is Dawn headline.... what a joke... no fears of Army Chief even..
What is this man? I mean who are these wierdo's? Let us live peacefully damn it. Why you cant see Karachities happy?
@sidrah: Person or people who everyone knows about but cannot talk about.
Fastest City Shutdown Ever: Karachi. “ Guinness record for shutting down a city of over 15 million goes to.. Namaloom Afrad!!
By now we know its not the Taliban or Pak's fav whipping boy - India. So who are these people , why are they firing ,what do they want. I have a feeling it has something to do with last fornight's bombing in Hyd, India. That too was unprovoked and no one till now came to claim responsibility.
For God Sake Gen. Kayani, What are you waiting for, We wants military rule in Pakistan forever.....
A "certain" political party has been manipulating the Abbas Town blast for it's political or, let's say, turf show for the coming elections. They don't have anything new on the agenda.
@See Saa: Look at the pitcure above. Remove their face masks and you will know your unknown.
@sidrah: Unidentified men
@See Saa:
we know them...but we dont want them to be known.....that is sadly our Pakistan...
Peaceful Pakistan - Please come back :( No matter how much we curse or hate you.. We can't afford to lose you! :(
We Pakistanis are at the mercy of terrorists.
very bad situation, pakistani politicians are doing nothing for pakistan
who are these unknown people
crazy
Coalition partners of Sind are responsible for disorder in Karachi. All the ethnic and linguistic parties should be banned.
Where we are living, it goes back to 1985 when I was enrolled in Class I, the situation is worsening day by day.... God please help us... and do not let us on the mercy of these politicians.
when these "unknown armed men" will be "known"?
Army please
I wont go office tomorrow.
On March 18 the caretaker govt will be sworn in and the first thing the Caretaker PM must do is declare emergency in Karachi and Hazara and call in the army.
Who is na-maloom afrad?
'Na maaloom Afraad' are the reason behind this...we should catch and lock up all such 'Na Maaloom Afraad'
Karachi, once again, been hijacked.
All of us know who these "NA MALOOM" People are... Only Security Forces don't know them or at least pretend so...
This is insanity now. These ignorant, idiot and uneducated politicians can't live one whole week without strike/shut down of city.
All the newspaper talking about Karachi coming to a standstill, will somebody have the courage to tell us who is fighting whom?
i want my childhood Karachi .... this is not the one where i played , i studied , i spend half of my life ... did somebody has some remedy to mend my broken heart .. Ahhh my loving karachi my city..
It is being very very critical situation of our city karachi politicians make this city jungle....
and so it begins.... the linguistic parties and ethnic groups of Karachi comes out of the fake National garb to resume their dirty politics. Hypocrites never spear any chance to exploit tragedies for their gains