Shopkeeper injured in gunfight with bandits

KARACHI:

A shopkeeper was shot and injured during an exchange of fire with a gang of robbers in Korangi's Mehran Town late Sunday night. The victim, identified as 37-year-old Abdul Wali, a father of eight, was wounded while attempting to foil a burglary at his grocery store.

The incident occurred near Muawiyah Mosque in Sector 6-D. According to the victim's friend, Muneer, vegetable vendors returning from the market noticed five to six armed men breaking into Wali's shop. They alerted Wali, who arrived at the scene with his licensed pistol and opened fire on the intruders. The bandits retaliated, striking Wali in the abdomen before fleeing the scene.

The victim was rushed to Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre (JPMC), where he underwent surgery. Doctors have not yet cleared him to provide a formal statement to the police.

Muneer revealed a disturbing pattern, claiming that Wali's shop has been targeted by robbers every December for the past four years. He criticized the local authorities, alleging that the area has become a "haven for criminals" who loot homes and businesses at will. He further claimed that despite the police having knowledge of the criminals' identities and whereabouts, no effective action has been taken to curb the rising lawlessness in the neighborhood.

Korangi Industrial Area police have registered the incident and launched an investigation into the shooting and the repeated targeting of the store.