No respite: Five people shot dead

A two-year-old child and a political activist among the dead.

KARACHI: Five people, including a two-year-old boy and a political activist, were shot dead during separate incidents of violence in the city on Sunday.

A member of Ahle Sunnat Wal Jamat, 25-year-old Abdul Wahid, was shot dead by unidentified men in Block-L, North Nazimabad, within the jurisdiction of Taimuria police station. Wahid was on his way to his home in Orangi when he was intercepted and shot at by the suspects. His body was taken to Abbasi Shaheed Hospital.

In another incident, Constable Ahsanul Haq, Muhammad Wasim and two-year-old Ayan were killed during an exchange of fire between members of two rival groups allegedly backed by political parties in Landhi, Karachi, on Sunday. Four people, including a woman, 18-year-old Seemi, SHO Khalid Nadeem and Mazhar, a member of a political party, were also injured in the incident.  “The police have launched an operation in the area to assist the people,” said DSP Muhammad Ahmed Baig. He mentioned that one of the political groups wanted to enter Unit No. 81, Landhi, and the rival group fired at them to stop them. The injured were taken to Jinnah hospital.

A total of 11 people have been killed as a result of the clashes between these two groups since April 25. The police refused to divulge information regarding their identity. However, the residents of Landhi, who requested anonymity, said that the two groups are backed by political parties. A member of Mohajir Qaumi Movement-Haqiqi, Shakil Ahmed, who was contesting the elections as an independent candidate, had also been killed in Landhi during a clash with another group on Friday. All business and commercial activities were closed after the two groups clashed on Sunday.

In another incident, a 45-year-old man, Shafi Muhammad, was shot dead in Munno Goth, within the jurisdiction of the PIB police station. Muhammad’s body was taken to Jinnah hospital. According to the police, the incident occurred over personal enmity. The police also found the body of a young man from Firdous Colony. The victim had been kidnapped and shot dead, said the police.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 13^th, 2013.