Two foreign nationals injured in shooting incident at Karachi textile mill

Sindh home minister calls for audit of security firms for compliance with standards protecting foreign nationals

Two foreign nationals sustained serious injuries in a shootout on Tuesday at a private textile mill near the Habib Bank Chowrangi area of Karachi's SITE Zone. A private security guard, reportedly involved in a dispute with the foreigners, opened fire before fleeing the scene.

According to police, the injured individuals were immediately transported to a private hospital on Stadium Road, where one was reported to be in critical condition. Law enforcement quickly deployed a crime scene unit to collect evidence from the site.

In response to the incident, authorities have detained four security supervisors and guards from the textile mill as part of the ongoing investigation. Police, Rangers, and other security agencies have launched a probe into the circumstances surrounding the shooting.

Senior officials, including Additional Inspector General Karachi Javed Alam Odho, DIG South Syed Asad Raza, SSP Keamari, CTD officers, and Sindh Rangers, arrived at the scene to oversee the investigation.

DIG Raza, speaking to the media, noted that the foreign nationals working at the mill are typically escorted from the Defence area to the SITE zone under the supervision of the Sindh Protection Unit and Rangers.

On Tuesday morning, they arrived at the mill around 8:02 am, following their regular security protocol, which includes a secure escort into the mill’s premises.

Once inside, security responsibilities are transferred to the mill’s private security arrangements, which comprise both in-house and contracted security personnel.

DIG Raza confirmed that authorities have traced the suspect’s residence, and inquiries are being made with residents to gather more information on his motives.

While CCTV cameras were absent in the specific area of the mill where the incident occurred, eyewitnesses reported that the shooting followed a verbal altercation. The foreign nationals remain under close observation in the ICU, with their condition being closely monitored.

DIG Raza added that four supervisors and guards on duty during the morning shift have been detained to assist in the investigation. He stated that the firing took place between 8:04 am and 8:20 am, with authorities receiving the alert at approximately 8:40 am. 

Sindh Governor Kamran Khan Tessori expressed concern over the incident, directing the Sindh IG to provide a detailed report and ensure a thorough investigation. He stressed the importance of foreign nationals’ safety as a top priority and vowed that those responsible would be brought to justice.

Sindh Home Minister Ziaul Hassan Lanjar also issued an order for the immediate arrest of the guard involved in the incident. Additionally, the minister called for an audit of companies providing security to Chinese experts and other foreign nationals to ensure compliance with security standards.