UC chairman killed, eight injured in tribal clash
A crowd gathers around an ambulance transporting an injured victim to the hospital. PHOTO: EXPRESS
A fight between children over a game escalated into an armed tribal clash resulting in the death of Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Union Council Chairman Sabir Ali Magsi.
Eight other people were injured in the shootout between the Magsi and Sanjrani tribes that erupted in the Bakhtawar Goth slum of the Bhittai Abad area in Gulistan-e-Jauhar.
Five out of eight injured belong to the Magsi and three are from the Sanjrani tribe.
On receiving the information about the incident, a squad of the Malir Cantt police station reached the spot and shifted the dead and injured to Jinnah Hospital.
The person who died in the firing was identified as 30-year-old Sabir Ali Magsi son of Khadim Ali Magsi. Injured persons were identified as Pinal Khan Magsi, Hasnain Magsi, Shohib, Ijaz Magsi, Mithal Magsi, Munsif Sanjrani, Sajjad Sanjrani and Miraj Sanjrani.
Resident of the area Makinullah Baksh Magsi said while talking to The Express Tribune that the deceased Sabir Ali Magsi was the newly-elected PPP Chairman of UC 9 Gulistan-e-Jauhar Bhittai Abad Block 9 Bakhtawar Goth and was a father of two girls and a resident of Architects and Engineers Cooperative Housing Society.
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The deceased Sabir Ali Magsi has an estate agency in Bhittai Abad, Makinullah said.
He said that the shooters belong to the Sanjrani tribe. About a year and a half ago, there was a quarrel between the children of the two tribes, which escalated. Due to the dispute, tension had spread in the area. Later, a jirga was held between the two groups on the intervention of elders of the area. In which a fine of Rs.0.5 million was imposed on the Sanjrani tribe, which was later waived by the Magsi tribe.
At 11pm on Monday, there was a quarrel between the children of the two tribes during a game. Soon adults jumped in and the matter got worse.
On being informed about the dispute, the UC Chairman Sabir Magsi came to mediate and was standing in a lane of the area listening to the complaint of the people of the Magsi tribe.
Meanwhile, the people of the Sanjrani tribe fired indiscriminately from the roof of a house. As a result, Sabir Magsi was shot in the neck which proved fatal.
The Magsi men returned fire injuring three Sanjrani tribesmen.
According to the spokesperson of Karachi police, Munsif Sanjrani, Sajjad Sanjrani and Miraj Sanjrani, were injured in the firing during the dispute.
Heavy contingent of police have been deployed to maintain peace and order in the area.
Published in The Express Tribune, February 21st 2024.