Police recover bodies of 3 gang members. PHOTO: FILE
KARACHI: At least five men belonging to Shia community and two local leaders of Ahle Sunnat Wal Jamaat (ASWJ), were shot dead in targeted attacks as 13 people were killed in a city on Saturday.
Three men belonging to shia community, Ali Nawaz Haider, 25, Ali Hasnain Ejaz, 27 and Hashim Hussain, 26, were killed and a passerby, Javed Khan, was wounded when at least four armed unidentified men riding on two motorcycles opened fire at them near Sabri Chowk in Orangi Town. Police said that victims were associated with Majlis-e-Wahdat-e-Muslimeen and lived in Toori Bangash Colony of Orangi Town.
SHO Sabir Khan said that the victims were riding their own motorcycle to the market to purchase goods when they were shot at, adding that police found at least 16 bullet shells from the crime scene.
Their funeral prayers were offered at Imambargah in Rizvia Society. As their funeral procession was underway, many areas including Rizvia, Ancholi, Abbas Town and Malir saw routine activities get partially suspended.
Meanwhile a quack who also belongs to the Shia community was shot dead inside his office near Kati Pahari within Pirabad police precincts. The victim was identified as Hadi Afzal and lived in Manghopir area, DSP Zahid Hussain said. The official added that two armed men visited the victim at the office where they shot him before escaping.
Hussain said the motive for the murder was apparently sectarian.
Another man belonging to shia sect, was gunned down in North Karachi within Khawaja Ajmair Nagri police remits. The deceased was identified as 40 year-old Ali Dad. Police said the deceased was a resident of Manghopir area and was commuting when armed motorcyclist’s shot and killed him.
On Saturday, a local leader of Ahle Sunnat Wal Jamaat, Mufti Nadeem Mauvia, 28, was shot dead in a targeted attack near to his home in Green Town within Shah Faisal Colony police remits. DSP Shakeel Awan said that victim was a member of the ASWJ and in-charge of Green Town locality. The victime was killed when he was sitting at his milk shop and at least two armed men riding a motorcycle shot him at least four times.
Another member of the ASWJ was shot dead in Muzaffarabad colony, Landhi. Police said that the victim, Maulana Shoaib was going home in his car when armed assailants attacked him.
In another incident, 55 year-old Sahib Zada, was shot dead in Muslimabad Colony within Quaidabad police remits. Police said deceased was at work at the intercity-bus stand when two armed men riding a motorcycle shot and killed him. Police suspect the motive was apparently personal enmity.
Meanwhile the bodies of three young men from Moach Goth area of Maripur on Saturday who police believe were abducted and killed as part of an ongoing gang war in the area. According to SHO Shafiq Tanoli, all the victims were shot in their heads and several marks of torture were also found on their bodies. Tanoli said initial investigation suggested that all the three victims were killed after being kidnapped and later their bodies were dumped separately.
The officer added that they had information about 15 men belonging to one of the gangs being abducted by another gang a few days ago. He added that the three bodies they found on Saturday could belong to some of the men kidnapped. “Police and rangers conducted a targeted search operation and detained as many as 10 people, but have been unable to recover the missing gang members.”
A young man, Ejaz Talha, was found dead near from Baitul Mukarram Masjid in Gulistan-e-Iqbal within Aziz Bhatti police remits. DSP Nasir Lodhi said that the deceased lived in the Old Sabzi Mandi area and unidentified culprits after kidnapping him had tortured him before shooting him. Lodhi said that the kidnappers dumped Talha's body from a running car. Police are yet to ascertain the motive behind the incident.
Another young man was found dead from Liaquatabad area within Super Market police station limits. Police said that the victim was shot once in his head apparently after having been kidnapped.
Bomb defused
The bomb disposal squad on Saturday defused four bombs concealed in the cricket balls in Sohrab Goth locality.
According to DSP Qamar Ahmed, they found four balls packed with explosives placed on a garbage dump. Police said they were attracted to the site after one of the balls exploded. Nobody was hurt in the explosion.
After the explosion, police and bomb disposal scanned the area and discovered the four explosives-packed balls.. BDS defused the bombs.
DSP Ahmed said that the additional balls were placed as a trap for the police.
The BDS also responded to another call of explosives. Police acting on a tip-off investigated a suspicious container placed near the house of Muttahida Qaumi Movement's Deputy Convener Farooq Sattar in PIB Colony. Upon inspection, police found the container contained a bottle of fragrance.
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Killing for the sake of killing can never bring peace in the CTY, neither it can serve the interests of killers. This has to come to an end in one way or the other. The MQM, which wields power and claims mandate of the city, has a big responsibility to take practical steps to bring peace and tranquility in the city, with or without government support. First, it should recognize all groups and parties in Karachi, and then make genuine efforts to find a lasting solution for bringing peace in the city. This move on the part of MQM will not affects its position at all.