12 including Ranger man killed in Karachi mayhem

KARACHI: At least twelve people including a Ranger’s man were killed and 19 hurt in different incidents of firing in the city in reaction to Zulfiqar Mirza's statements against MQM chief, Geo News reported Thursday.

After the fiery speech of Zulfiqar Mirza unknown men came out on the streets of Karachi and opened firing and set ablaze twenty-seven vehicles while police has claimed to arrest eleven persons involved in spreading violence. Violence is still continuing in many areas of the metropolis and also killed a Ranger’s man at Maskan Chawrangi in Gulshan-e-Iqbal area along with a woman in Hussainabad. The toll now stands at 12 since Wednesday night. Injured are shifted to the nearby hospitals while security personnel are patrolling in the affected areas to control the situation.

Reports of firing in Nazimabad, Korangi, UP Mor, North Karachi, Shah Faisal, Gulistan-e-Johar, Gulshan-e-Iqbal, University Road, Golimar, Ancholi, Abul Hassan Isphanai Road and Liaquatabad were received while dozens of vehicles were also set on fire in different parts of the city, including an oil tanker.

Shops, hotels, fuel stations were shut after the firing that griped the whole city. Reports from interior Sindh also confirmed the firing incidents and anger against Zulfiqar Mirza's comments.

Owing to the city situation, Federal Urdu University, Karachi University and Allama Iqbal Open University have cancelled the papers that were scheduled for today.

The Karachi Transport Ittehad (KTI) has announced that no transport will be brought on roads due to security reasons while traders will also remain closed and not take part in any business activity.

Fear has gripped the entire city and forced the citizens to stay indoors. People from different areas reported severe firing in the area and said that due to shortage of public transport and deteriorating situation, they could not reach offices.