Target killings rock city, 7 shot dead in a month

Police caution against prematurely concluding existence of any active gang

KARACHI:

In a chilling wave of violence, the metropolitan city has witnessed five target-killing incidents in a single month, claiming the lives of seven people. Police say one suspect is linked to two of these incidents, with matching bullet shells found at both crime scenes. However, police caution against prematurely concluding the existence of any active gang or group in the city.

The first incident happened on December 23 when unidentified gunmen shot dead Osama Moon, the son of businessman Saleem Moon, in the New Karachi Industrial Area police station remits of district central. Saleem Moon and his two other sons narrowly escaped in this incident of targeted shooting.

The second incident occurred on January 9 in Liaquatabad Underpass of district central, where unknown armed men opened fire on a car, resulting in the death of Shakeel Sher, an accounts officer of a bread manufacturing firm. Police categorised it as a targeted killing.

The third targeted attack took place on January 9 at a stationery store in Water Pump area near Yousuf Plaza, district central. Unknown gunmen opened fire, leaving two brothers-in-law, Habib-ur-Rehman, 55, and Zia-ur-Rehman, 50, injured. Habib succumbed to his injuries during treatment at the Civil Hospital.

The fourth incident took place on the night between January 10 and 11 near the Model Colony railway gate. Unknown armed suspects on a motorcycle shot and killed two employees of a sweets shop and injured a third one.

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The fifth target-killing incident occurred on January 22 on Abul Hassan Isphani Road in the precincts of Mubina Town police station in district east. Two unidentified armed suspects opened fire on a milk shop, resulting in the death of Abdul Hadi, the owner, and Muhammad Ayub, an employee, while injuring three others.

Meanwhile, AIG Karachi police Khadim Hussain Rind suspected that the same criminals could be involved in two of these incidents in district central. The suspects wore identical clothes and caps in both cases, and the recovered bullet shells matched, he added.

Police are investigating with the help of the CCTV footage of both the incidents. He, however, said it is premature to confirm the existence of any specific gang or group in the city. Investigations are ongoing to identify the group to which the target killer belongs. AIG Rind assured that those responsible for the incidents will be apprehended and brought to justice.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 24^th, 2024.