Two Rangers soldiers killed in attack on checkpost

At least 12 people killed in targeted attacks in the city.


Our Correspondent December 10, 2012

KARACHI:


Two Rangers personnel were among 12 people who were shot dead in the ongoing spate of violence on Monday.


A Rangers checkpost on Abul Hassan Isphahani Road, opposite alAsif Square in Sohrab Goth, came under attack by unidentified gunmen. A paramilitary spokesperson confirmed that two Rangers personnel, Enayat, 28, and Hakim, 45, died in the attack. “[The attack] might be a result of our successful ongoing operations against criminals and anti-social elements in the city,” he said. “It will not dampen our resolve and we will keep fulfilling our responsibilities.”

Sachal police DSP Qamar Ahmed said that traffic police sub-inspector Qamar Pirzada, ASI Khadim, and a passerby, Salman, were also injured in the attack. A traffic police post is situated right next to the Rangers’ checkpost.

Around six paramilitary personnel are usually present at the Sohrab Goth checkpost at any given moment, but there were four when the gunmen attacked it on Monday. Two of them were inside, while the other two, who were shot dead, were in the van parked alongside the checkpost.

Quoting eyewitnesses, DSP Ahmed said that at least two young men with Kalashnikovs carried out the attack. It was probable that they had used Abul Hassan Isphani Road for reaching the post, but authorities were not sure if they travelled by motorcycle or car or if they were on foot. They could also not rule out the presence of other culprits who were acting as backup for the assailants. The police have yet to file the case.

Cracker blasts

Panic had earlier spread in Orangi Town after residents and law enforcers heard two explosions in the area. However, it later became clear that the explosions took place after unidentified culprits threw two crackers near the Orangi Town police station. The bomb disposal squad was called in to inspect the site. There were initial reports that two policemen were injured in the blasts, which were then refuted by West District DIG Javed Odho.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 11th, 2012.

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