Targeted attacks: Three killed, PPP activists injured

PPP activist injured in explosion in their car in Gulberg.

KARACHI: Tension gripped Orangi Town after an activist of the Pakistan Peoples Party identified as Javed alias Bhatta and a baker, Kamran, were injured in firing in Bangla Bazaar, said the Pakistan Bazaar police. They were taken to Abbasi Shaheed Hospital.

According to SHO Raja Ulfat, a clash took place between PPP and Muttahida Qaumi Movement workers over market stalls, and the men opened fire at each other. He added that Javed was the nephew of Salamu and was wanted in five cases by the Orangi Town police. The bodies of two men were found in Pak Colony. The police said that one body was found near the Jahanabad Bridge while the other was found near Lyari River. They added that the bodies were placed in gunny bags. The bodies were taken to Civil Hospital, Karachi. One of the men was identified as 28-year-old Shoaid Baloch. The police claimed that he was a tailor and lived in Chakiwara.

The body of a seven-year-old boy identified as Kabir Baloch was found near his house in Daud Goth, Baldia Town, said the Saeedabad police. They suspect that the boy was kidnapped while playing outside his house and was strangled to death. The body was taken to Civil Hospital, Karachi. Initial investigation suggests that he was killed over a personal enmity.

Two PPP activists, Salman Baloch and Rizwan, were injured when an something exploded inside their car when they were near a private hospital in Block 13, said the Gulberg police. Salman, who deals in weapons, was in his Toyota Corolla when a loud bang was heard. They  were taken to Aga Khan University Hospital.

DIG Bharoka said that initial investigation suggested a hand grenade was used to attack the car. The Mauripur police claim to have arrested an alleged gangster identified as Syed Pathan after an encounter on Hawksbay Road. SHO Shafiq Tanoli said that Pathan was from the Jabbar Jhengu group of Lyari and was wanted in over 40 target killing cases.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 9^th, 2012.