13 die in Karachi target killings, 5 linked to MQM-H

[Naveed Yaseen]

* Five men linked to MQM-H among deceased
* 29 politically motivated killings during first week of June

By Faraz Khan

KARACHI: The capital of Sindh witnessed a day of bloodshed on Sunday, as 13 people, including 10 members of various political parties, were murdered in 12 separate incidents.

The number of political activists murdered in target killings during the first week of June has now reached 29. Police officials told Daily Times they believed the situation could worsen unless the Home Department intervenes and re-establishes the government’s control in the city.

MQM-H targeted: Sunday’s unrest started early in the morning when unidentified gunmen barged into the house of Salimuddin — a legal adviser for the Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Haqiqi (MQM-H) — within the limits of Jamshed Quarters Police Station and killed him, while injuring his wife Farida, and daughter Sehrish. His daughter has filed a first information report (FIR) against unidentified persons. Another murder believed to be a political killing was that of Nadeem Khan, whose brother, Moin, is a unit incharge of MQM-H. Khan was also shot dead by unidentified assailants. Forty-year-old Naseem Ahmed, a member of the MQM-H eldersrs’ wing, was also killed at his house, while his wife, Seema, was injured in the attack.

In Malir City, unidentified gunmen opened fire on a taxi, killing 28-year-old Noman, and injuring his brother, Zeeshan, and mother, Nasima. Police said the attack might have been politically motivated, as Zeeshan was the former bodyguard of MQM-H Chairman Afaq Ahmed. The body of MQM-H activist Hassan Ali was found near Azeem Pura graveyard, while the body of a fruit vendor, Shehzad, was found in Korangi. Shehzad was also a former activist of the MQM-H.

Other parties: In Korangi Industrial Area’s Mehran Town, a rift between two groups over the encroachment of government land resulted in the death of 14-year-old Hardeen Khan. His family has nominated activists of the Muttahida Qaumi Movement, Raees Mama, Naeem Gadha, Asif and Hussain, in the FIR. Local leaders of the Jeay Sindh Taraqi Pasand Party, meanwhile, have claimed the deceased was a party worker. At Eidgah, near old Haji Camp, 40-year-old Faqeer Muhammad and Razaullah alias Pappu were killed by unidentified people. Razaullah was a transporter, but police sources said Faqeer had been an MQM worker. A friend, Yaseen, was also injured in the shooting. Unidentified assailants also killed a daily wager, Jamil Khan, on Sunday. Police believe this killing to be politically motivated, as Khan was a supporter of the Awami National Party.

Also on Sunday, Shakeel Naata was killed while his associate Imran, alias Para, was injured. Police claim the two were robbers who turned their guns on each other when they started fighting over the distribution of their loot. There were also reports that the two were MQM-H workers, but party leaders have refuted the claims. Police also found the gagged bodies of two unidentified men.

http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp...2009_pg1_1