Seven political activists among 14 killed

KARACHI: While the provincial police chief claims that crime has dropped by half in the city, 14 people, seven of them political activists, were gunned down in the metropolis on Monday.

Two Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) activists were gunned down in a clash near Disco Morr, Orangi Town No 15.The two men, identified as 25-year-old Shakir and 24-year-old Shahid, were being taken to the Aga Khan Hospital, when they expired on the way.

SSP West Amir Ali Farooqi said the two men were killed in a clash with Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) activists. “There is still tension in the area and we have yet to ascertain the cause behind the clash.”

Haqiqi activists slain

Three men, who were inside a restaurant near Merewether Tower in Kharadar, suffered bullet injuries when two men on a motorcycle sprayed them with bullets. They were rushed to the Civil Hospital Karachi (CHK), where 39-year-old Muhammad Rehan, a Mohajir Qaumi Movement-Haqiqi activist and 23-year-old Umar Khattab, who worked at the restaurant, succumbed to their injuries. The third person, 52-year-old Muhammad Hussain, managed to survive. The police recovered empty 9mm pistol bullet shells at the crime scene.

The sub-divisional police officer of the Risala Division said the two victims were residents of Lines Area. “The assailants were targeting the Haqiqi activist. The two other men just happened to be there.”

Late on Monday night, motorcylists shot dead two MQM-H activists who were sitting outside their homes in Lines Area.

MQM man killed

Two men were attacked near Rani Park in Saeedabad. Some men on motorcycles opened fire on 41-year-old Muhammad Rafiq, an MQM activist, while he was standing outside his home. Another man, Arshad, also suffered gunshot wounds.

They were rushed to the Murshid Hospital, where Rafiq expired.The area’s SHO said empty 9mm pistol bullet shells were found at the murder scene.

ST activist shot dead

A Sunni Tehreek (ST) activist was gunned down and his two friends injured near Chandni Chowk in Baldia Town No 3. The area’s SHO said 30-year-old Asadullah Qadri was sitting outside his home with his friends Saeed Qadri and Danyal Qadri, when two men on a motorcycle opened fire on them.

They were taken to the CHK, where Asadullah breathed his last.

Driver gunned down

A Suzuki van driver was shot dead in Lyari. The Garden SHO said 25-year-old Salman Khan was driving his vehicle when two men on a motorcycle opened fire on him. The body was shifted to the CHK, where the medico-legal officer said the victim had suffered three bullet wounds to his upper torso. Khan was a resident of Agra Taj Colony.

Man killed in Mauripur

In a late-night development, a man was shot dead near Crown Cinema in Mauripur. The Kalri police said the victim was in his mid-20s.

Woman murdered

A 50-year-old woman was shot dead in Saeedabad. Her body was shifted to the Murshid Hospital.

Bodies found

The body of a man in his 20s was found near Ahmed Road in Kalri. Quoting a witness, police said the body was thrown out of a vehicle. The victim was tied up and blindfolded. The body was shifted to the CHK.

The medico-legal officer said the victim was shot twice and the body also bore torture marks. Another body was found near Murtaza Chowrangi in Landhi. The victim was a man in his 20s. A passer-by saw the body and informed the police about it. It was shifted to the Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre.

Man gunned down

Gunmen riding a motorcycle shot and killed a young man in the 100 Quarters area in Korangi. The victim remained unidentified.

Altaf saddened

Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) chief Altaf Hussain expressed profound grief and sorrow over the death of Muhammad Rafique, a member of the committee of the party’s Baldia Town Sector. Rafique was attacked by unknown assailants and joint sector in-charge Muhammad Arshad Qureshi also suffered bullet injuries in the same incident.