Violence in the city: Man, daughter die in targeted attack

Ilyas was targeted a few weeks ago on Tariq Road, but he survived.

KARACHI: A man, who escaped an attack on Tariq Road a few weeks ago, died along with his two-year-old daughter, as their whole family came under attack early Monday.

Asghar Ilyas, 40, was driving home after attending a wedding in Liaquatabad, when at least two armed men tried to intercept his silver Vitz near Aisha Manzil. Ilyas’ wife, Farzana, and their daughters, six-year-old Dua and two-year-old Zainab, were also in the car so he tried to speed away.

The suspects followed the car and opened fire at the whole family. The car also hit a nearby electricity pole. The victims were taken to Abbasi Shaheed Hospital, but Ilyas and Zainab succumbed to their injuries. Farzana’s condition was, however, stable as she was shot in the leg, but Dua was hit in the abdomen and was admitted to the ICU.

Ilyas belongs to the Ahle Sunnat Wal Jamaat and is the trustee of Masjid-e-Hasnain in Gulbahar. He was targeted a few weeks earlier on Tariq Road, but he survived. A passerby was shot dead instead and Ilyas decided to become a witness for that case, said Gulberg SSP Amir Farooqi.

The police also said that the victim’s brother was also killed in a similar manner in Yousuf Plaza in Gulberg, nearly six months ago. A few members of the rival sect were apprehended after that attack.

According to SSP Farooqi, Gulberg SHO Tariq Baig was suspended for neglecting his duties. Ilyas was targeted because of his sect, he said, explaining that Ilyas and his brother built a mosque in the neighbourhood which led to a dispute with the rival community.

Meanwhile, a prayer leader, Maulana Shaukat, who had associations with the ASWJ succumbed to his injuries at Abbasi Shaheed Hospital. Maulana Shaukat was wounded in an attack in New Karachi on December 31, last year.

A total of five people were killed in the city on Monday.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 8^th, 2013.