7 more killed in targeted attacks

KARACHI - Seven people, including an activist of the Muttahida Qaumi Movement and a policeman, were killed in the ongoing spree of targeted killing in the metropolis on Thursday.

An activist of the MQM was shot dead at his apartment in Gulistan-e-Jauhar area in the wee hours of Thursday. Identified as 35-year-old Asif alias Buddha, son of Abdul Hameed, a resident of Noman View apartments, the victim was targeted by unidentified gunmen. Asif breathed his last at a private hospital. Later, the body was moved to the Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre for medico-legal formalities.  According to police officials, the victim was an active worker of MQM’s unit number 66-C. Following the incident, tension simmered in Gulistan-e-Jauhar and its surrounding areas, prompting a closure of all major shops and markets.

The police officials said the motive behind the murder was yet to be ascertained. Initial investigation, however, suggested that it was a targeted killing. No case was registered till the filing of this report.

Separately, a CID police constable was gunned down in Kunwari Colony area. The victim, 40-year-old Mohammad Khan, son of Rafi Khan, a resident of Awan Colony, was heading some where on his bike, when he attacked by a bike-borne armed duo. The constable was hit by multiple bullets and died on the spot. The body was shifted to the Abbasi Shaheed Hospital for medico-legal formalities. The victim, hailed from Lucky Marwat, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, had been stationed at the Crime Investigation Department (CID) Civil Lines for the past six years.

His funeral prayers were offered in the Garden Headquarters. Later, Mohammad Khan’s body was dispatched to his hometown. No case was registered till the filing of this report.

A police party, after the killing, conducted raids on parts of Manghopir rounding up eight suspects, claimed SSP Fayyaz Khan.

Separately, a man, namely Syed Ali Shah, 24, son of Qutub Syed, was shot dead near Kala Maidan within the precincts of the Orangi Police Station.

According to police officials, the victim, a resident of Landhi, had arrived in Orangi Town to meet his relatives but fell prey to unidentified assassins.

The body was shifted to the ASH for medico-legal formalities, and later handed over to the heirs. The officials claimed that the victim was a retard. A case has been registered against the unidentified killers.

Another man, a watchman by profession, namely Kamran Baloch, son of Fakhar, was shot dead in Orangi Town. Police officials said the victim, a resident of Old Golimar area of Pak Colony, was going to his uncle’s place in sector 7-C, when unidentified armed men opened fire on him. A case has been registered against the unidentified killers on the complaint of Mohammad Khan, the victim’s relative.

Meanwhile, sack-packed body of a man was recovered near Liaquatabad bridge. Identity of the victim could not be ascertained till the filing of this report.

Police officials said the victim had a rope around his neck and several torture marks on his body, which was shifted to the ASH for medico-legal formalities, and later moved to a morgue for identification.

The officials further said the victim appeared to be Baloch-speaking.  A case has been registered against his killers and investigation is in progress.

Another body was recovered by a roadside in Qasba Colony area. Identity of the victim could not be ascertained. According to police officials, the victim, who appeared to be Pakhtun-speaking, had been shot in the temple. Later, the body was moved to a morgue for identification.

Separately, a man was mowed down near a restaurant in Zia Colony of Korangi area. The victim, identified as 35-year-old Mohammad Imran, son of Ghulam Qadir, was a resident of Nasir Colony.

Police officials said he dealt in plastic business and unidentified men killed him at his workplace. They suspected that he might have been killed over personal enmity. However, the actual motive behind the murder could not be ascertained.