Malir violence: At least 22 more people killed in emerging turf war
At least 22 people were shot dead in pitched gunbattles that are evolving into a fight for control of Karachi city itself. But more than the actual killings was the fear that the firing spread, especially in Malir.
Additional Inspector General of Police Saud Mirza said the police was working in tandem with the Rangers and was trying its best to contain the violence from spreading to other parts of the city. “An operation against the armed groups in Malir and Landhi is expected some time later in the evening,” he said.
In many areas, however, it remained to be seen how the law enforcers would even manage to enter. The worst affected parts were Malir, Landhi, Jaffer Tayar Society and Daud Goth, among others. At least four rockets were fired in Daud Goth but no loss of life was reported.
Rangers spokesperson Major Farooq Bilal told The Express Tribune that the force was not conducting any major operation but their personnel have been deployed in sensitive areas and were holding flag marches. He said there were reports that hand grenades were used in some of the attacks. Rangers Brigadier Waseem said the armed groups were using sophisticated weapons, including machine guns, assault rifles such as the AK-47 and .222 rifles.
Armed men attacked the houses of MNA Sher Mohammad Baloch, ex-UC 7 Malir nazim Jan Mohammad and Rasheed Baloch. Six Muttahida Qaumi Movement workers, Raheel, Owais, Salahuddin, Ali Akbar, Mohammad Hussain and Irfan were gunned down in Taimuria, Kalakot and Quaidabad, respectively. An activist of the banned Sipah-e-Sahaba Pakistan, Noorul Islam, was killed and another man identified as Nazeer was injured in an armed attack inside Siddiq-e-Akbar Mosque in Surjani. A Mohajir Qaumi Movement-Haqiqi spokesperson said, however, that none of their people were injured or killed on Sunday.
Eleven more people, including Ikhlaq, Khalid and Kala Khan in Karimabad, Zafar, Furqan and Iqbal in Sir Syed and one each in Nabi Bux, Ghas Mandi, Liaquatabad, Baldia Town and Mobina Town were killed, while over half a dozen others were wounded. MQM activist Badar Afzal, who was injured in Malir on Friday, succumbed at Jinnah hospital.
Apart from Malir, fear and tension swept across Mawach Goth, Quaid-e-Azam Colony, Gulshan-e-Iqbal, Qasba Colony, Banaras, Orangi Town, Katti Pahari. Life came to a standstill in Kharadar, Napier, Ancholi, Abbas Town where intense aerial firing was reported. A funeral procession for advocate Mukhtiar Bukhari was attacked on the Super Highway. As this unfolded, Federal Interior Minister Rehman Malik arrived and chaired a meeting at Governor House. Speaking to the media at the airport earlier on, he said that no operation would be conducted in the city without consulting all mainstream political parties.
Police sources told The Express Tribune that the violence in Landhi is basically a turf war between a breakaway faction of one political party and another.
The MQM’s Wasay Jalil said the party has already tabled a deweaponisation bill in parliament and wants the authorities do something concrete. The chief minister’s adviser, Waqar Mehdi, said that six people were arrested in Baldia and the law enforcement authorities have entered Malir.
An Awami National Party spokesperson said that a huge rally was organised in Landhi to promote peace in the area, but they were fired upon. The intense firing has forced people to stay indoors. “The innocent people who are dying in this wave of violence is the responsibility of [...] parties,” he said.
Published in The Express Tribune, July 25th, 2011.
COMMENTS (11)
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As is evident Samia that we watched blood shed for the last two or rather three decades and all the casts of people are badly disturbed with the violance. Since nothing practical seems to have been done to prevent it, so finally being a Muslim we must pray ALLAH ALMIGHT to overcome our this particular problem and generally all our problems.
If we are collectively unable to cure the problem, we must take care of it and lastly look forward towards ALLAH for help. GOD BLESS PAKISTAN AND US.
MQM is tabling a de-weaponization bill? Hahahahahahahahaha.. AMAZING !!
This is getting worst than the 'Wild West'.
One simple question from the Government "Please let us know how much more you require the blood of innocent people of Karachi to quench your vampire thirst"
@Samia: by the way waht was offensive in the comments of Mr. Latif? Why you people are so alergic from the word Religion?
@Mr Abro. Media isn't responsible to improve law & order in karachi. those are responsible who robed the mandate of the people of karachi by introducing commissionarate system.
@Abdul Lateef:
why do you have to bring religion into everything? you could have finished your comment as it was,did you really need to give a sample of a dua at the end? do we really need religion being shoved down our throats?
as long as our media remains scared of the largest party in karachi ,the city's condition won't improve.if you don't name the perpatrator how can you expect to find a solution?
I think now the time has arise that all political figures may join hands together and think over all the voilances in back bone of Pakistan which disturbs all the commercial acitivites all over the country.
Instead of addressing a press conference or addressing Media punetive measures may be initiated to resolve the decades long pending issues and all the political figures in Karachi must be participating in the ROUND TABLE TALK and steps be taken to prevent future occurance of the incidents.
MAY ALMIGHTY SAVE OUR CITY, PROVINCES AND COUNTRY. AMEEN.