Killings continue: Tempers soar after seminary student found dead in Karachi

A student belonging to Jamia Binoria found dead, companion injured.

KARACHI: With the death toll from violent incidents soaring over 20 on the eve of Muharram, the situation in Karachi turned potentially explosive after the body of student belonging to Jamia Binoria was found near Quaid-e-Azam’s mausoleum late on Tuesday.

The body of seminary student, identified as Ziaur Rehman, was found near the mausoleum. The student had left the seminary along with a person whose name is believed to be Misbah for some work when both were attacked. Rehman was killed and his companion was injured. Misbah, about whom no further details were immediately available, is currently receiving treatment in hospital.

Soon after news of the incident and Rehman’s death spread, a large number teachers and students from Jamia Binoria started a protest at Guru Mandir. They threatened to force the entire city to close unless law enforcement agencies apprehended the culprits.

The severity of the protest and the potentially volatile situation brewing just a short distance from a major Shia Imambargah near Guru Mandir was defused after city police chief Shahid Hayat arrived on scene and promised his full cooperation to apprehend those responsible. He also suspended the area SHO Javed Sikander.

Tensions have heightened in Karachi on the eve of Muharram after two days of target killings, some of which police say were motivated by sectarian differences.