Karachi violence: ASWJ activists killed
Shabbir died on the spot while Ateeq died at Abbasi Shaheed Hospital.
KARACHI:
Two activists of Ahle Sunnat wal Jamaat, formerly known as Sipah-e-Sahaba Pakistan, were gunned down in on Nazimabad on Tuesday.
They were identified as 36-year-old Shabbir and 40-year-old Ateeq and were residents of Firdous Colony in Gulbahar. Shabbir used to run a confectionary shop while Ateeq was an AC technician.
According to the police, witness accounts state that men in a white Suzuki high-roof van targeted the victims when they passed near the rickshaw stand in Nazimabad No. 2.
Shabbir died on the spot while Ateeq died at Abbasi Shaheed Hospital.
A score of ASWJ workers also arrived at the hospital and protested against the killings. The bodies were handed over to the families.
SHO Rao Ehsan confirmed that both were ASWJ activists. He said that both were shot many times with 9mm pistols. He said although the police were looking at all possible angles but the possibility of sectarian violence could not be ruled out.
ASWJ spokesperson Maulana Taj Hanfi condemned the incident and said that both the men were associated with the Gulbahar unit.
According to him, at least 15 party activists were killed this year.
The funeral prayers were offered in Khajji Ground, in Nazimabad. Shabbir was later buried in Paposh Nagar graveyard and Ateeq was laid to rest in the Nazimabad Graveyard. No case was registered till this report was filed.
Published in The Express Tribune, February 15th, 2012.
Two activists of Ahle Sunnat wal Jamaat, formerly known as Sipah-e-Sahaba Pakistan, were gunned down in on Nazimabad on Tuesday.
They were identified as 36-year-old Shabbir and 40-year-old Ateeq and were residents of Firdous Colony in Gulbahar. Shabbir used to run a confectionary shop while Ateeq was an AC technician.
According to the police, witness accounts state that men in a white Suzuki high-roof van targeted the victims when they passed near the rickshaw stand in Nazimabad No. 2.
Shabbir died on the spot while Ateeq died at Abbasi Shaheed Hospital.
A score of ASWJ workers also arrived at the hospital and protested against the killings. The bodies were handed over to the families.
SHO Rao Ehsan confirmed that both were ASWJ activists. He said that both were shot many times with 9mm pistols. He said although the police were looking at all possible angles but the possibility of sectarian violence could not be ruled out.
ASWJ spokesperson Maulana Taj Hanfi condemned the incident and said that both the men were associated with the Gulbahar unit.
According to him, at least 15 party activists were killed this year.
The funeral prayers were offered in Khajji Ground, in Nazimabad. Shabbir was later buried in Paposh Nagar graveyard and Ateeq was laid to rest in the Nazimabad Graveyard. No case was registered till this report was filed.
Published in The Express Tribune, February 15th, 2012.