One killed, seven hurt in capital crossfire

[Lahore_Real_Estate]

Sunday, January 10, 2010
By By our correspondent
ISLAMABAD: One person was killed and seven others, including DSP Margalla Circle Naeem Iqbal, were hurt in a heavy crossfire at the district Kuchehry here on Saturday afternoon.

The firing, in front of the court of the District and Sessions Judge Mazhar Hussain Barlas at 4:15 pm, forced security officials posted in the federal capital to go on a high alert.

The 35-year-old Hamid Ali killed in firing is said to be the gunman of the leader of one of the groups, Malik Bari, who was taken to the Emergency of the Federal Government Services Hospital, along with the injured persons Sohail and Naveed. Besides DSP Naeem Iqbal, other injured persons include Zafar Iqbal, Arif, Tasawwar and Zarif. They were admitted to the PIMS where two of them are said to be in serious condition.

The Chief Executive of Bahria Town, Malik Riaz, had gone to the court of the district and sessions judge to record his statement in connection with the judicial enquiry ordered by the SC. As soon as he came out of the court and was seated in vehicle, his armed guards mounted on vehicles lined up in the front and rear.

Those accompanying Malik Bari drove a black vehicle in between. The gunman with Malik Riaz asked them to remove it. Instead of clearing the road, the two sides involved themselves in arguments and later Malik Bari’s brother Ghazanfar Malik and Malik Riaz’s guards indulged in a scuffle followed by intense firing from both sides. The police confiscated nine Kalashnikovs, four revolvers and bags full of arms that were recovered after breaking the windows of vehicles in the parking area.

Additional DC Qazalbash reached the venue and ordered action against the rival parties. He asked SSP Islamabad as to how over two-dozen armed persons managed to reach the District Kuchehry in spite of security measures.