Youth mistaken as robbershot dead by hotel owner

KARACHI:

A 24-year-old man was shot dead when the owner of a restaurant in Lyari's Old Haji Camp opened fire, mistaking him for a robber. Police later confirmed the deceased, Muhammad Mustafa, was a police informant and that the shooting occurred during a search operation targeting illegal foreign residents.

The incident took place around 12:40 a.m. at Al-Hafeez Meezan Restaurant, commonly known as Bhutto Hotel. CCTV footage showed the staff dining when two plainclothes men entered, causing panic. The owner, Sanaullah son of Azizullah, drew his licensed 9mm pistol and fired, hitting Mustafa in the head. He was rushed to Civil Hospital Karachi but succumbed to his injuries.

According to police, Sanaullah believed the men were robbers or target killers after hearing shouting outside. He claimed cash was kept at the counter and he acted in fear. Co-owner Saeed Ahsanullah said they did not know the plainclothes men were working with the police and mistook them for attackers amid Karachi's deteriorating law and order situation.

Napier SHO Ali Baqar reached the scene, detained the hotel owner, and recovered the weapon. Two FIRs have been registered - one for murder on the complaint of Mustafa's father, and another under the Arms Act.

Police sources confirmed that Mustafa and his companion were assisting the police in locating illegal foreign residents in the area. The shooting, they said, was a result of a tragic misunderstanding during the operation.

The victim's uncle, Tariq Mahmood, appealed to senior officials for justice, saying, "My nephew was innocent. He was wrongly killed - strict action must be taken against those responsible."