Seven dead as 'naamaloom afraad' shut Karachi down

Panic and fear spread across the metropolis, parts of interior Sindh.

KARACHI: At least seven people were killed in separate incidents of violence in Karachi, while businesses were forced to close across the city. A number of gunshot injuries were also reported.

Panic and fear spread across the metropolis as reports poured in of unidentified gunmen firing in many parts of the city, forcefully closing down businesses and blocking roads. Unknown individuals also torched vehicles and set tyres on fire in the worst affected areas.

The resultant rush of people exiting marketplaces and offices caused massive traffic jams on many roads. The Karachi Transport Ittehad also announced that they were suspending public transport plying on the streets.

Hyderabad and other parts of interior Sindh also shutdown after firing by unknown people.

Police and hospitals were put on high alert, while the Private Schools Association announced that schools would be closed for an indefinite period of time.

Rangers in Karachi, who had earlier carried out an operation in the city, arrested a number of suspects involved in the forceful closure of marketplaces.

Amid the violence, the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) announced they would observe a peaceful movement against the government’s inefficiency following the attack in Abbas Town.

Addressing the press conference, Raza Haroon said that MQM Chief Altaf Hussain had condemned the Abbas Town blast and had demanded the government arrest the terrorists involved within three days, otherwise, the MQM would observe a democratic protest.

Condemning the government’s incompetence, Haroon said that this protest movement will continue till government arrests the culprits responsible for the attack.

“We appeal to the people of Karachi to stay peaceful and support the peaceful protest,” he said, before adding, “We request the people of Karachi, especially traders, factory owners, shop keepers, transporters and people belonging to other walks of life, to keep their businesses shut until the terrorists are arrested.”

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6:55pm

A 40-year-old man, Qadir Hussain, son of Maqool Hussain, was gunned down by unidentified armed men in Sector 14-A, Korangi Town No 2/1-2, within the precincts of Zaman Town police station.

The body was brought to Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre (JPMC) for a postmortem.

Police said the man was an employee of a garment factory and was on his way to workplace early this morning when armed men targeted him.

The victim received one bullet in his face and died on the spot.

Separately, the body of a man, aged around 25, bearing bullets marks was found near Malir River, Jaam Goth, Malir Town, within the Jurisdiction of Memon Goth police station.

The identity of the man could not be ascertained as yet. The body was shifted to JPMC for medico-legal formalities.

Similarly, 36-year-old Rashid, son of Piaray Khan, was killed by dacoits over robbery resistance in Landhi Town No 36-B within the remit of Landhi police station.

The body was shifted to JPMC for an autopsy.

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6:30pm

Two officials of Pakistan Rangers Sindh Hawaldar Muneer Ahmed Bhutto and Aijaz Ahmed Baloch, are reportedly missing since Tuesday.

They were performing security duty in Nazimabad.

Both the officials, posted near Nazimabad Post Office, had left for home after off time at 3.00pm but didn't reach home,

A local journalist Nawaz Bhutto, cousin of Muneer, told PPI that both these rangers were going back home after performing their respective duties.

Nawaz said that the cell phones of the missing Hawaldars were switched off.

The rangers assured the relatives that the search for missing officials was underway.

When contacted Major Sibtain, spokesman of Rangers, was unaware of the missing personnel and said that he would check.

Despite few rumours, the cellular services are fully functional.

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6:15pm

A bus was torched in New Karachi.

Businesses and markets close down in Sukkur.

In total three cars and one motorcycle put on fire.

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5:50 pm

Rangers Sindh has arrested two miscreants from the Shahbaz commercial area in the Defence Housing Authority (DHA). They were trying to close down shops and loot people. The rangers claim that miscreants belong to a political party.

Rangers have arrested few members of the Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) people and also recovered a suicide bomb jacket from Sohrab  Goth.

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5:35pm

All private schools will remain shut in Karachi tomorrow for an indefinite period, announced the Private Schools Association. It is unclear how many schools this association represents.

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5:25pm

In Hyderabad, miscreants have blocked the roads.

Unrest continues in Liberty Chowk and Latifabad areas.

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5:10pm

Deputy Speaker of Sindh Assembly Shehla Raza said, “There is a specific group in Karachi which does not want to maintain peace in the area.” She was addressing a press conference.

Rangers arrest two people with weapons, in Defence, as they were trying to shut down shops.

One person killed in Landhi.

Police still cannot be seen on the streets to control the situation.

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5:00pm

“The Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) is carrying out a peaceful protest and we urge people to participate in it to show commiseration with the affectees of Abbas Town blast,” said the MQM leader Raza Haroon while addressing a press conference.

He specifically urged the traders, factory owners, shop keepers, transporters to take part in the protest.

Meanwhile, three vehicles torched in Landhi, Samnabad and on National Highway.

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4:45pm

Reports of aerial firing in Defence and Clifton. All shops in the area have been closed, as have a majority of the petrol pumps.

Aerial firing in Mirpurkhaas hence, businesses have been closed.

Police is still waiting for instructions from authorities.

People resorting to aerial firing in Nawabshah.

Firing in Latifabad, Landhi and markets closed down.

Businesses in Hyderabad closed and tyres being burnt on streets. People with sticks are patrolling the streets and breaking windows of cars.

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4:25pm

Two cars burnt on National Highway.

Police cannot be seen on the streets.

There is a severe traffic jam on the road from Shahra-e-Faisal to Airport.

Car burnt at Al Noor roundabout.

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4:15pm

MQM member 'Shahzad' killed in Malir.

A political party has shut down 50% of Karachi due to the Abbas Town issue.

According to Express News, unknown armed men started firing in Rizvia Society I I Chandrigar Road, Burns Road, Purana Golimar, Orangi Town, Korangi, Landhi and other areas.

Three cars have been set on fire so far.

Police put on high alert across the city. Snap checking has started in the worst-affected areas.

There is a Traffic jam in MA Jinnah Road, Tower, Nazimabad, Gulistan-e-Jauhar and Rashid Minhas Road.

Army Chief visited the Core commander headquarter and the Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR) core commander briefed him about Karachi’s situation.

Firing in Tando Allahyar; markets shut down.

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4:00pm

Karachi, Hyderabad and parts of interior Sindh shutdown after firing from unknown people.

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3:50 pm

Firing at Shafeeq Mor killed one person. Another person was gunned down in Buffer Zone while a third was shot dead in Gulistan-e-Jauhar.

One person was injured in a firing incident near Jauhar Complex.

The violence suddenly kicked up in  the afternoon. Shops were closed and business came to a standstill.

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3:40 pm 

The Karachi Transport Ittehad has also announced that they are suspending public transport plying the streets.

Hospitals have been directed to remain on high alert.

There were reports of some petrol pumps being shut down as well.

The situation was reported to be tense in Malir, Gulshan-e-Iqbal and Federal B Area. There were reports of aerial firing in many areas as well, spreading fear and panic.

In another report, a blaze in New Sabzi Mandi escalated. Fire brigades were called in from all areas of Karachi. The cause of the fire is still unknown.