Four MQM men among 10 killed in Karachi

Khalid Kashmiri and Shaukat from MQM shot by unknown men. Protest erupts in Essa Nagri after shopkeeper killed.

KARACHI: The violence in Karachi continued on Wednesday with as many as 10 people, including four political activists belonging to the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM), were killed in separate incidents, while a violent protests broke out in Essa Nagri where a store keeper was shot dead.

A political worker belonging to the Muttahida Organising Committee (MOC) – a sub-organisation of MQM – was killed in a targeted attack in the Model Colony locality. He was identified as Khalid Kashmiri, 40, son of Siddiq Shah Kashmiri.

Police officials said that Kashmiri was the in-charge of the MOC Unit-189, Malir and at least five men were behind the incident who had targeted him near the Mehran Depot Mor when he was on his way home. SP Latif Siddiqui said that the victim was shot multiple times and had died before the law enforcement agencies arrived.

A worker of the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) was gunned down in Delhi Colony within Frere police station limits on Wednesday evening. The deceased was identified as Ahsan. SHO Waqar Tanoli said that the MQM worker was killed during a clash with a rival group member over a personal dispute, adding that two more people, Gulfam and Zubair were injured in the incident. The deceased and injured were taken to the Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre for autopsy and treatment respectively.

Another political worker belonging to MQM was shot dead near his home in New Karachi within the limits of Bilal Colony Police Station. The deceased was identified as 28-year-old Shaukat, son of Masood. Police officials said that the victim was standing near his house when unidentified armed motorcyclists shot him.

He was taken to Abbasi Shaheed Hospital where he succumbed to his injuries during treatment.

A fourth man belonging to the MQM was gunned down by two armed men in Landhi No. 4 within the limits of Landhi police station. He was identified as Mohammad Iqbal, 50, son of Yaseen. Police sources said that the deceased was associated with the MQM unit 80. They added that he was killed  near his home.

Following the incident, the area became tense and an extra contingent of law enforcers were called in to prevent any untoward incident. DSP Majeed Abbas said that the motive behind the incident was yet to be ascertained.

Meanwhile a supporter of the Pakistan Peoples Party was gunned down in Qasba Colony within the limits of Pirabad police station. The deceased was identified as 40-year-old Bacha Khan. Police officials said that he was on the way home when unidentified armed men riding a motorcycle shot and killed him. His body was taken to the Abbasi Shaheed Hospital for an autopsy.

In a separate incident, an elderly man identified as Haji Sher Mohammad, 80, was gunned down in Orangi Town. Police said he was shot down by armed motorcyclists when he was on his way home from the burial of his relative in Faqir Colony. Mohammad was targeted due to personal enmity, the police claimed.

Saleem, 27, was also killed in the North Karachi area within the remits of Sir Syed Police Station. Police officials said that the deceased lived in slum area at Sector 7B and was the labourer by profession. They said that unidentified culprits stabbed him with a knife near his home for unexplained reasons. His body was taken to Abbasi Shaheed Hospital for autopsy.

A personnel of the Pakistan Rangers, Sindh was gunned down while a second personnel was injured near Star Gate within the limits of Airport police station when unidentified armed men riding a motorcycle attacked them. The deceased was identified as Younus. DIG Shahid Hayat of District East said investigations were underway. A Rangers spokesman also confirmed the incident and said that they were collecting details about the incident.

Another man identified as Mohammad Rehmanullah was gunned down within the limits of Sohrab Goth police station. Police officials said that deceased had no affiliation with any political party. They added that he was sitting outside his home when armed men shot and killed him. Police believe the murder was over personal enmity.

Clash at Essa Nagri

In the evening, at least a score people poured into the street in Essa Nagri area after a storekeeper was killed after robbers shot at him upon resistance. The residents of the area burnt tires, a motorcycle and four stalls as they blocked the road in protest.

Faisal Masih, who operated a public call office in the Christian dominated locality, was shot when he resisted robbers. He was rushed to the Abbasi Shaheed Hospital in a critical condition, but he eventually succumbed to his injuries.

Additional contingents of police and Rangers arrived in the area and took control.

A second man was injured during a clash between the police and protesting residents. He was shifted to Liaquat National Hospital for treatment.

Law enforcers claimed to have arrested the suspected culprit, Salman Azam for his alleged involvement in the killing of Faisal Masih.