Four cops gunned down in Karachi

KARACHI: At least four policemen were shot dead and two others injured late Tuesday in different areas of Karachi.

Miscreants riding motorcycles opened fire on a police mobile van stationed near Rimpa Plaza on MA Jinnah Road, killing ASI Riyasat Ali and head constable Saeed, and injuring constable Jahangir.

The attackers shot both the victims in head using 9mm pistols, said Raja Umer Qatab, the head of the anti-terrorism cell of the CID.

Khatab said he suspected the attack was carried out by sectarian militants.

"They have previously carried out a similar attack on Preedy Street, and this appears to be in continuity of that incident," he said.

Shortly afterwards, gunmen opened fire on policemen riding motorbikes on regular patrol near Pakistan Chowk in Aram Bagh area, killing head constable Shakeel and wounding constable Mujahid.

Officials said that initial investigation revealed that the suspected attacker waited for the policemen to arrive before he opened fire on them.

"From the initial investigation, it appears that both incidents were carried out by the same group," said DIG South Abdul Khaliq Sheikh.

This is the third time in the past few months that gunmen have targeted policemen on MA Jinnah Road. 22 policemen have so far lost their lives in incidents of targeted killing in 2015.