Two Rangers, three policemen among nine shot dead | Pakistan Press Foundation (PPF)

Pakistan Press Foundation

Two Rangers, three policemen among nine shot dead

KARACHI: Two Rangers personnel, three policemen and an employee of the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation were among eight persons killed in various incidents on Monday. Two traffic policemen and a passer-by were wounded in the attack on a Rangers picket near the Superhighway on Monday night.

Rangers suspected that the attack was in reaction to ongoing ‘targeted operations’ the paramilitary force was carrying out in the city.

The incident took place at the Rangers picket near the Al Asif traffic kiosk close to the main Superhighway within the remit of the Sohrab Goth police station. “Two suspects riding a motorbike pulled up near the picket. One of them got off and opened an AK-47 rifle burst on the picket, killing two Rangers personnel and wounding two traffic policemen — a sub-inspector and an ASI,” said DIG-East Shahid Hayat. ASI Qamar Pirzada later died in hopsital.

A passer-by was also wounded in the firing, police said. Four Rangers personnel were present at the picket. However, by the time the other two could regain their composure to retaliate, the suspects had fled, the DIG-East said.

“Police collected 27 spent bullet casings of AK-47 rifle at the crime scene,” DIG Hayat said, adding that the picket was secured, but the suspects carried out the attack from behind it. The attack took place at a place bustling with activity and traffic.

The wounded Rangers men were rushed to the nearby Patel Hospital, where they were pronounced dead on arrival. Later their bodies were taken to the Bhitai Rangers headquarters. The wounded policemen were also taken to the Patel hospital for treatment. The wounded passer-by was taken to the Abbasi Shaheed Hospital for treatment.

Following the shooting, a large number of senior officers of the police and Rangers arrived at the scene to assess the incident. Somewhat similar incidents targeting policemen have taken place in the Sohrab Goth area in the recent past. A spokesman for the Rangers said the Rangers could have been targeted in reaction for the ongoing operation against criminals in the city.

“However, it will not dampen our resolve and we will keep fulfilling our responsibilities,” the spokesman added. Early Monday morning Rangers had carried out ‘targeted operations’ in Mehmoodabad and Pak Colony.

Policemen killed

A police head constable of a bomb disposal unit was shot dead in an apparent act of sectarian slaying in Nazimabad on Monday morning. Police said the targeted killing took place in Usmania Colony near the Khaji ground within the remit of the Rizvia police station.

Police said Syed Ali Abbas Naqvi, 38, was heading to work on Monday morning when suspects riding a motorcycle targeted him. The head constable was in plain clothes when he was attacked at around 9.30am police said. The victim suffered a gunshot wound in the neck and died instantly, the police said.

The body was taken to the Abbasi Shaheed Hospital for medico-legal formalities. Later, the body was shifted to the Jafria Imambargah Gulbahar, where his funeral prayers were offered.

Police registered an FIR (336/2012) under Section 302 (premeditated murder) of the Pakistan Penal Code against unknown suspects on a complaint of the victim’s brother. A senior police officer of the area said he suspected the killing was linked to the on-going sectarian attacks in the city. However, other motives could not be ruled out, he added.

Earlier, late Sunday night, a police constable was shot dead on the main University Road.

Police said Constable Saqib Zuberi, 30, was heading home after work at the DIG-East office, where he was posted, when suspects also riding a motorbike targeted him. Police said the incident took place within the remit of the Aziz Bhatti police station. The wounded policeman was rushed to the Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre, where he died during treatment.

Police were not sure about the motive but suspected element of personal enmity as a probable motive for the killing.

KMC employee

An employee of the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation was gunned down in Martin Quarters on Monday morning.

Police said the incident took place within the remit of the Jamshed Quarters police station, where suspects targeted Mohammad Nadeem, 40. The suspects fled the scene following the shooting. Police said the victim, a KMC clerk, was returning home after dropping his children to school when he was shot.

The victim, father of five, was rushed to the Civil Hospital Karachi, where he was pronounced dead. The police said they were not clear about the motive for the killing.

Terminal manager

A manager of a bus terminal was killed in Orangi Town on Monday. Police said the incident took place in Mianwali Colony at the terminal of F-11 minibuses, where suspects targeted Hamza Khan, 40. The victim suffered six bullet wounds and died on the spot.

DSP Zahid Hussain said the victim was a resident of Mianwali Colony. The victim’s brother was also killed in a similar manner about a year ago, the DSP added. Police said the killing appeared a result of some tribal feud.

The body was shifted to the Abbasi Shaheed Hospital for medico-legal formalities.

Paan vendor

A paan cabin owner was shot dead in the Shah Latif area on Monday.

Police said the incident took place within the remit of the Shah Latif police station near Al-Syed View, where suspects opened fire on Hajan Khairo, 35, killing him instantly. The police said the victim hailed from Larkana. A year back he had brought along a woman from Hyderabad. Police suspected that the killing could be related to the woman.

The victim suffered three bullet wounds. The body was shifted to the JPMC for medico-legal formalities. The deceased had relocated to the area recently, the police said.

Manghopir killing

A man was killed by unknown persons in Manghopir area Monday night. Police said the incident took place within the remit of the Manghopir police station, where Noor Nabi, 45, was shot in the head by suspects who fled the scene.

The body was shifted to the Abbasi Shaheed Hospital for legal formalities. Police were not immediately sure about the motive for the killing.

Salesman wounded

A salesman was shot at and wounded on M.A. Jinnah Road on Monday. Police said the incident took place within the remit of the Preedy police station where unknown suspects opened fire on a car hitting Mohammad Nehal in the neck.

The victim was rushed to a private hospital, where he was admitted for treatment.


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