Police suspect sectarian motive behind targeted killing

Three members of the Shia community were killed by armed assailants on Friday

KARACHI: A father and a son were among three people belonging to the Shia community who were shot dead on Friday in Buffer Zone.

The three men were targeted in broad daylight within the limits of Taimuria police station. Police officials and witnesses said that armed motorcyclists carried out the crime. The armed men attacked the victims while they were returning to their homes after offering Friday prayers at Shah-e-Najaf Imambargah. "All three belonged to the same community," said Taimuria SHO Irfan Kobra. "The armed motorcyclists, who were already following them, targeted and killed them."

The assailants managed to escape after shooting victims several times. Two of them died on the spot, while the third victim succumbed to his injuries during treatment at Abbasi Shaheed Hospital. Shahid Husain, 52, and his son Sajjad Ali, 28, died on the spot, said SHO Kobra, adding that Ali's friend, Syed Hashim Rizvi, 35, died at the hospital. "Ali and Husain were travelling on one motorcycle while Rizvi was on another," said the officer. "There were two shooters but we suspect that two more shooters were there for backup."

Husain was a transporter by profession and his son worked at a multinational company, while Rizvi was an electrical consultant. The father and son were residents of Block 20 of Federal B Area, while Rizvi lived in Block-19 of the same area. The police recovered at least five empty shells of the 9mm pistols used in the incident. So far they have not found any major clue, but they suspect that the incident could  be sectarian.

JI worker killed

A worker of the Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) was shot dead on Friday at Lashari Muhalla near Old Golimar within the limits of Pak Colony police station. The deceased was identified as Abdul Waheed, 40, son of Abdul Haseeb. SHO Malik Nawaz said that deceased was a JI worker and used to live in the same area, adding that the incident occurred when he was on his way to a nearby mosque to offer morning prayers. At least two armed men riding a motorcycle shot and killed him. The officer said that two of the victim's brothers have already been killed in separate acts of targeted killings in the same area in the last couple of years by members of a Lyari-based gang.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 9^th,  2016.