Rally killings: Strike observed in Sindh, parts of Karachi
Interior Minister Rehman Malik takes notice of killings at rally, orders formation of investigation team.
KARACHI:
As the situation in Sindh and parts of Karachi remained tense in the aftermath of violence that erupted after killings at an anti-Mohajir province rally, Interior Minister Interior Rehman Malik ordered the formation of an investigation team to probe the incident that left at least 13 people dead and over 35 injured, Express News reported.
According to a statement issued by the Ministry of Interior, the inspector general of Sindh will supervise the team which will have members from Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), Intelligence Bureau (IB), Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) and Special Branch.
The statement further said that it will also be investigated why the rally was taken out by the Awami Tehreek and backed by the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz, without taking permission from the government.
The team will also investigate riots that broke out during the rally.
Malik had a discussion with Chief Minister Sindh Qaim Ali Shah and the chief secretary, and said that every possible effort will be made to bring the terrorists to justice.
It was proposed during the meeting that the heirs of the deceased be granted Rs200,000 each and the injured Rs50,000 each.
Four-member committee constituted by cabinet
In order to improve the security situation in Karachi, a four-member committee was constituted during a session of the federal cabinet today.
Presided by Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani, the committee includes federal ministers Makhdoom Amin Fahim, Khursheed Shah, Maula Bux Chandio and Naveed Qamar.
The session took place at the Parliament House in Islamabad, presided over by Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani.
Three assailants arrested
Express News reported that Rangers arrested three suspects who were allegedly involved in the firing on the Awami Tehreek rally on Tuesday.
Complete strike in interior Sindh
On the call of Awami Tehreek, Jeay Sindh Qaumi Mahaz (JSQM) and different nationalist parties, a complete strike is being observed across interior Sindh.
A bus was set alight by unknown men in Sukkur near Old Bus Stand area while a truck was set on fire in Dadu, carrying grocery items.
Sindh Progressive Nationalist Alliance and Awami Tehreek took out protest rallies in Sukkur and staged demonstrations.
Transport remained suspended in Sukkur, Larkana, Shikarpur, Khairpur, Deherki, Shahdadkot, Kandhkot, Ghotki, Kashmore, Noshero Feroz and other cities in the interior Sindh, while petrol pumps were also closed down.
Unknown assailants resorted to aerial firing and hurled grenades in different areas of Qambar Shahdatkot, however, no injuries or casualties were reported.
Riots broke out during rallies taken out in Noshero Feroz, where attackers hurled stones at the rally participants.
Strike observed in parts of Karachi, Sindh
On the call of Awami Tehreek in the aftermath of the killings at its rally in Karachi, a strike was observed in parts of the city. Businesses remained closed in areas affected by the violence and little transport was seen running.
One person was killed, while four people sustained injuries when unknown men opened fire on a Pakistan Steel Mills bus driving through the Quaidabad area.
Businesses remained closed in Old City, Quaidabad, Sherpao Colony, Landhi, Pehelwan Goth, Malir areas, while shops in other areas of Karachi remained opened.
Firing incidents stirred tension in Napier Road, Lea Market and Old City areas. A bus was set alight in the Napier Road area.
Nationalist parties staged A demonstration in the Ghaghar Pathak area.
Rangers round up more than two dozen suspects
Rangers rounded up more than two dozen suspects during overnight targeted search operations conducted in Garden, Ramswami, Usmanabad, Azeem Plaza, Raja Mansion, Kharadar and other areas.
Some of the suspects were identified as Suhail Sadiq, Kashif alias Pawla, Arif alias Baba, Rasheed alias Dhobi, Azhar, Shahmeer, Faraz, Rashid alias Pakora, Imran alias Chingari and Muhammad Kashif.
Rangers recovered two anti-aircraft guns, 22 Kalashnikovs, 11 repeaters, 10 pistols and more than 8,000 bullets of different kinds from the possession of the suspects.
As the situation in Sindh and parts of Karachi remained tense in the aftermath of violence that erupted after killings at an anti-Mohajir province rally, Interior Minister Interior Rehman Malik ordered the formation of an investigation team to probe the incident that left at least 13 people dead and over 35 injured, Express News reported.
According to a statement issued by the Ministry of Interior, the inspector general of Sindh will supervise the team which will have members from Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), Intelligence Bureau (IB), Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) and Special Branch.
The statement further said that it will also be investigated why the rally was taken out by the Awami Tehreek and backed by the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz, without taking permission from the government.
The team will also investigate riots that broke out during the rally.
Malik had a discussion with Chief Minister Sindh Qaim Ali Shah and the chief secretary, and said that every possible effort will be made to bring the terrorists to justice.
It was proposed during the meeting that the heirs of the deceased be granted Rs200,000 each and the injured Rs50,000 each.
Four-member committee constituted by cabinet
In order to improve the security situation in Karachi, a four-member committee was constituted during a session of the federal cabinet today.
Presided by Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani, the committee includes federal ministers Makhdoom Amin Fahim, Khursheed Shah, Maula Bux Chandio and Naveed Qamar.
The session took place at the Parliament House in Islamabad, presided over by Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani.
Three assailants arrested
Express News reported that Rangers arrested three suspects who were allegedly involved in the firing on the Awami Tehreek rally on Tuesday.
Complete strike in interior Sindh
On the call of Awami Tehreek, Jeay Sindh Qaumi Mahaz (JSQM) and different nationalist parties, a complete strike is being observed across interior Sindh.
A bus was set alight by unknown men in Sukkur near Old Bus Stand area while a truck was set on fire in Dadu, carrying grocery items.
Sindh Progressive Nationalist Alliance and Awami Tehreek took out protest rallies in Sukkur and staged demonstrations.
Transport remained suspended in Sukkur, Larkana, Shikarpur, Khairpur, Deherki, Shahdadkot, Kandhkot, Ghotki, Kashmore, Noshero Feroz and other cities in the interior Sindh, while petrol pumps were also closed down.
Unknown assailants resorted to aerial firing and hurled grenades in different areas of Qambar Shahdatkot, however, no injuries or casualties were reported.
Riots broke out during rallies taken out in Noshero Feroz, where attackers hurled stones at the rally participants.
Strike observed in parts of Karachi, Sindh
On the call of Awami Tehreek in the aftermath of the killings at its rally in Karachi, a strike was observed in parts of the city. Businesses remained closed in areas affected by the violence and little transport was seen running.
One person was killed, while four people sustained injuries when unknown men opened fire on a Pakistan Steel Mills bus driving through the Quaidabad area.
Businesses remained closed in Old City, Quaidabad, Sherpao Colony, Landhi, Pehelwan Goth, Malir areas, while shops in other areas of Karachi remained opened.
Firing incidents stirred tension in Napier Road, Lea Market and Old City areas. A bus was set alight in the Napier Road area.
Nationalist parties staged A demonstration in the Ghaghar Pathak area.
Rangers round up more than two dozen suspects
Rangers rounded up more than two dozen suspects during overnight targeted search operations conducted in Garden, Ramswami, Usmanabad, Azeem Plaza, Raja Mansion, Kharadar and other areas.
Some of the suspects were identified as Suhail Sadiq, Kashif alias Pawla, Arif alias Baba, Rasheed alias Dhobi, Azhar, Shahmeer, Faraz, Rashid alias Pakora, Imran alias Chingari and Muhammad Kashif.
Rangers recovered two anti-aircraft guns, 22 Kalashnikovs, 11 repeaters, 10 pistols and more than 8,000 bullets of different kinds from the possession of the suspects.