Attack on ASWJ leader sparks violent protests in Karachi
ASWJ announces strike in Karachi on Wednesday and says it will continue holding protests all across Sindh.
A boy pulls an iron barrier during a protest against the killings by unidentified gunmen in Karachi December 25, 2012. PHOTO: REUTERS
KARACHI:
An attack on Ahle Sunnat Wal Jamaat (ASWJ) leader on Tuesday sparked violent protests in several areas of Karachi, reported Express News.
Protesters pelted stones and burnt tyres and vehicles in various areas including Gulshan-e-Iqbal, Nagan Chowrangi, Waterpump, Lasbela, Patel Para and Korangi Expressway.
ASWJ leader Maulana Aurangzeb Farooqui was attacked by unidentified gunmen earlier during the day outside a madrassah in the Gulshan-e-Iqbal area. The attack left six others dead, including four police officials.
Maulana Farooqui was hit in the leg by a bullet and needed hospital treatment but his injuries were not life-threatening, police said.
ASWJ claimed that he had been targeted by a rival minority Shia group.
"At least four policemen, a guard and a driver were killed in firing by unknown gunmen," senior police official Shahid Hayat told AFP.
Karachi police chief Iqbal Mehmood confirmed the attack and casualties and said that initial investigations showed that the gunmen were on a motorcycle, and the policemen who were killed had been escorting Farooqui.
According to ASWJ spokesperson Akbar Saeed Farooqui, the injured leader was now out of danger after being treated at the Liaquat National hospital.
Following the incident, the party had urged workers and supporters to remain calm and not stage violent protests.
Strike announced
ASWJ called for a strike in Karachi on Wednesday and announced it will be holding protests across Sindh, Express News reported.
Party leader Dr Maulana Fayyaz, speaking to a press conference at a private hospital, appealed to transporters and businessmen to keep their businesses closed tomorrow.
An attack on Ahle Sunnat Wal Jamaat (ASWJ) leader on Tuesday sparked violent protests in several areas of Karachi, reported Express News.
Protesters pelted stones and burnt tyres and vehicles in various areas including Gulshan-e-Iqbal, Nagan Chowrangi, Waterpump, Lasbela, Patel Para and Korangi Expressway.
ASWJ leader Maulana Aurangzeb Farooqui was attacked by unidentified gunmen earlier during the day outside a madrassah in the Gulshan-e-Iqbal area. The attack left six others dead, including four police officials.
Maulana Farooqui was hit in the leg by a bullet and needed hospital treatment but his injuries were not life-threatening, police said.
ASWJ claimed that he had been targeted by a rival minority Shia group.
"At least four policemen, a guard and a driver were killed in firing by unknown gunmen," senior police official Shahid Hayat told AFP.
Karachi police chief Iqbal Mehmood confirmed the attack and casualties and said that initial investigations showed that the gunmen were on a motorcycle, and the policemen who were killed had been escorting Farooqui.
According to ASWJ spokesperson Akbar Saeed Farooqui, the injured leader was now out of danger after being treated at the Liaquat National hospital.
Following the incident, the party had urged workers and supporters to remain calm and not stage violent protests.
Strike announced
ASWJ called for a strike in Karachi on Wednesday and announced it will be holding protests across Sindh, Express News reported.
Party leader Dr Maulana Fayyaz, speaking to a press conference at a private hospital, appealed to transporters and businessmen to keep their businesses closed tomorrow.