Karachi: Political violence continues, six more activists perish in target killings

[Naveed Yaseen]

Six more activists perish in target killings

Tuesday, June 09, 2009
By Salis bin Perwaiz

Karachi

Six activists belonging to the Mohajir Qaumi Movement-Haqiqi (MQM-H) and the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) were killed on Monday in separate incidents in the city.

In the recent spate of target killings, unidentified people attacked the residence of Bilawal House Chief Security Officer Bilal Sheikh, in Gulbahar, in which three people were killed and Sheikh’s security officer was injured.

Sources said that due to the continuous spate of target killings, Rangers personnel had been given the affected areas of East Zone which includes Shah Faisal Colony, Korangi, Khokharapar, Landhi, Saudabad, and Malir. There were also reports that the Sindh Rangers personnel had constructed check posts in these localities and were operating with the coordination of local police.

Abdul Naeem, 35-year-old Basheer (alias Sheera), and 11-year-old Alam were shot dead, while Irfan Commando, a security guard of Bilal Sheikh, was shot at and injured in the Gulbahar police limits.

Police sources said that on Monday afternoon five armed men riding motorcycles attacked Bilal Sheikh’s residence in Khamosh Colony and resorted to indiscriminate firing.

Due to the continuous firing, Abdul Naeem, an activist of MQM-H was killed, while Basheer, Alam, and Irfan were injured. The criminals fled the scene and passerby and supporters shifted the dead and injured to the Abbasi Shaheed hospital, where Basheer and Alam were pronounced dead, while Irfan was referred to the Aga Khan University Hospital.

During inquiry, it was found that Abdul Naeem was an activist of MQM-H and a resident of Nazimabad, while Basheer was a resident of Pak Colony and was a juice vendor running his stall in Khamosh Colony. Alam was standing at Basheer’s stall when he fell victim to the firing. Furthermore, Irfan is an ex-activist of the MQM-H and is presently working for the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP).

In another case, Saifullah Haq Siddiqi was shot dead by armed men in the Shamim Shaheed police limits.

Police sources said that Siddiqi was a resident of Gol Market and an employee of the City District Government Karachi (CDGK).

During investigation it was found that Siddiqi went to offer Fajr prayers when armed men riding a motorcycle shot and killed him, and fled. The deceased was an activist of MQM-H. A case was registered at the police station.

Twenty-five-year-old Amir Zaib, an activist of the MQM-H, was shot dead by armed men in the Landhi police limits. The police said that the victim was a resident of Landhi 37-D, and went out to Babar Market, when armed motorcycle riders opened indiscriminate fire, killing Zaib on the spot, and fled. The deceased was an activist of the MQM-H and came to the area to celebrate June 19 which was the Foundation Day of the MQM-H. A case was reported at the police station.

In yet another case, 45-year-old Fahimuddin was shot dead by armed men in the Liaquatabad police limits. The police said that the deceased was the resident of Sikandarabad. On Monday morning he was heading home on his motorcycle, when armed men opened indiscriminate fire at him was near Sajid Decoration, Liaquatabad No-6. Fahim died on the spot, and his attackers fled.

Forty-four-year-old Khwaja Sibtain Raza, an activist of the MQM was shot dead by armed men in the Jauharabad police limits. Police sources said that the deceased was a resident of Block-9, F.B. Area. On Monday afternoon he went outdoors for some work.

When was near Wahaj hospital, two armed men riding a motorcycle shot and killed him and fled. The deceased was a member of MQM Buzurg committee. A case was registered at the police station.

http://www.thenews.com.pk/daily_detail.asp?id=182027