PTI local leader injured, wife killed in attack

Cops say no bullet casings found from crime scene

KARACHI:

The wife of a local leader of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) was killed in an alleged ambush in Gulshan-e-Maymar on Northern Bypass near the Afghan Basti on Thursday. Armed motorcyclists opened fire at the car of PTI Maghopir labour division president Isa Khan, injuring Isa and critically wounding his wife, Bakhtawar Khan, 37.

Bakhtawar suffered multiple gunshot wounds, but a bullet to the forehead proved fatal. The funeral prayer of the deceased was offered at around 8pm and she was laid to rest at a local graveyard.

Regarding the incident, West district SSP Suhai Aziz Talpur said that police surveyed the crime scene as indicated by Isa Khan, but they did not find any bullet shells. Police are further investigating the case, she said, adding that it appeared to be a case of personal enmity.

Isa, with bullet wounds to the arms and legs drove the car to a private hospital himself. Bakhtawar was in critical condition and died during treatment.

Soon after the incident, SSP Talpur, PTI MPA Raja Azhar and party leader Robistan Khan reached the hospital.

Speaking to The Express Tribune, Isa said that he along with his wife and six-month-old baby Sher Khawar were going back to their house located in Afghan Basti Fareed Goth after a medical check-up of the child, when perpetrators on two motorcycles opened indiscriminate fire on both sides of their car.

The assailants were armed with a Kalashnikov rifle and a pistol, said Isa, adding that he does not have enmity with anyone.

On Wednesday, the son of Jamaat-e-Islami’s former union council chairperson Muhammad Zulfiqar, Raza Zulfiqar, 32, was gunned down by perpetrators on Jamia Millia Road, Malir. The police suspect that the incident was one of target killing and launched probe.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 18^h, 2021.