There is no let-up in street crimes as trigger-happy muggers roam free in the metropolitan city looting and killing people at will. In the latest incidents, two persons were killed during attempted robberies in different areas of the city on Friday.
In the first incident, a young motorcyclist was fatally shot by robbers near Al Asr Tower on Jinnah Avenue, opposite Malir Cantt. The injured was rushed to the CMH in Malir Cantt, where he succumbed to his injuries despite best efforts of doctors.
The body was subsequently transferred to the JPMC for medico-legal formalities. The deceased was identified as 29-year-old Shoaib Shafqat, who was working as engineer at a textile mill. He hailed from Mirpurkhas but lived in a housing society on Superhighway.
As per police, Shoaib was returning home after visiting his cousin in Malir Cantt when three robbers riding a motorbike intercepted him near Al Asr Tower on Jinnah Avenue. Shoaib accelerated his motorbike in a bid to escape, but the ruthless robbers shot him in the back
District East SSP Dr Farrukh Raza said that investigations have started while motives behind the killing are not immediately known.
In a second incident, armed robbers opened fire during an attempted looting, killing one person and injuring another in the Christian Mohalla area of Orangi Town. The casualties were shifted to the Abbasi Shaheed Hospital where the deceased was identified as 35-year-old Akhtar, son of James, while the injured is named Abid, 22, son of Nizam.
While quoting preliminary investigation, District West SSP Hafeezur Rehman Bugti said that Akhtar was sitting outside his residence with his nephew when two motorcycle-borne robbers tried to snatch his mobile phone. Akhtar resisted and a scuffle ensued, pushing the robbers to opened fire, fatally hitting Akhtar in the eye.
SSP Bugti said that they have obtained CCTV footage from the vicinity and the culprits would be identified with its help.
Meanwhile, a six-year-old child was killed and another person was injured in a shooting incident near Bilal mosque in the Junejo Colony area of Sohrab Goth. Police claimed that the alleged shooter was killed in an encounter near Hasan Noman Colony, while his accomplice managed to escape.
The casualties were transported to Abbasi Shaheed Hospital where the dead child was identified as Israr, son of Qasim, while the injured is named 19-year-old Abbas, son of Saeed Muhammad. Speaking to the media at Abbasi Shaheed Hospital, the deceased's uncle, Tahir, revealed that the child's father, who cooks parathas, was busy at work when the tragedy occurred.
An argument between two men over money escalated, resulting in gunfire that struck the child's neck and injured Abbas's stomach. Both perpetrators fled the scene after the shooting.
Tahir further informed that police had informed him about the encounter in which the suspect who fired at the child was killed, while his accomplice managed to escape. The parents of the deceased child hailed from Mohmand tribal district of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa.
Abbas's condition remains critical. The suspect killed in the police encounter was identified as 28-year-old Nasrullah, also known as Rogue Lewanay, son of Muhammad Azim.
According to DSP Sohail Faiz of Sohrab Goth, the deceased suspect had a prior altercation with Abbas a day earlier. The suspect opened fire upon seeing Abbas at Misbah Hotel in Junejo Colony, resulting in the child being struck in the neck and Abbas in the stomach. The deceased suspect had a history of criminal activities. Despite firing upon police upon their arrival, he was neutralised.
Published in The Express Tribune, March 23rd, 2024.
COMMENTS
Comments are moderated and generally will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive.
For more information, please see our Comments FAQ