Targeted killing?: Three ANP workers gunned down in Karachi

Four others were injured in the attack in Sherpao Colony.

KARACHI:

Three party workers belonging to the Awami National Party (ANP) were gunned down while four others were injured in a targeted attack in Karachi late on Wednesday evening.

The deceased were identified as Saleem Khan, Abid Khan and Sajid and the injured were identified as Abdul Razzaq, Fahim, Niaz Yosufzai and Arif.

According to an initial report, the police said the ANP workers were standing near their party office in Sherpao Colony when they came under attack. SHO Amanullah Marwat, while quoting witness accounts, said at least six assailants riding three motorbikes came close to the victims and opened fire.

The injured activists were taken to the nearest private hospital, where three of them succumbed to their injuries. The injured were later taken to Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre for autopsy and medical treatment. The SHO said the police was investigating whether militant elements were behind the incident, adding that investigation were underway.

An ANP spokesperson said Saleem Khan was the president of ANP Sherpao Colony ward, while Niaz Khan was the coordinator for ANP lawmaker Amir Nawab. The spokesperson added that the culprits targeted the ANP men shortly after a meeting had concluded at the party’s office in Sherpao Colony.

He condemned the attack and demanded the government to arrest the culprits. No case had been registered till the filing of this report.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 1^st, 2012.