Gunmen kill 92 in three-day violence in Karachi

Gunmen kill 92 in three-day violence in Karachi

KARACHI: At least 27 people were killed in different firing incidents in Karachi on Thursday, bringing the death toll of the political and ethnic violence in the city to 65 in the last three days, ARY NEWS reports. Officials said at least 13 people were killed on Thursday evening when unknown gunmen fired at three buses in the city. Some 30 others were also injured in the attack. More than a dozen vehicles were set on fire across the city, mostly in SITE area and Nazim Abad. The violence which broke out in Orangi Town spread to Lyari, Baldia Town, Site and Gulshan-i-Iqbal areas and continued unabated. Police said first incident of firing on busses took place near Metro Well cinema in SITE area of the city where unknown gunmen opened fire on a passenger bus, killing five and injuring at least 8 others. Reports said five persons were killed and many others injured when the second passenger bus, W-55, came under fire near Board Office in North Nazim Abad area. A similar incident occurred at Banaras Chowk in Orangi Town where according to police and eyewitnesses unidentified armed men opened fire on a bus, 1-D, killing five people on the spot and wounding many others. Police and rescue teams arrived at the spots and shifted dead and injured to Jinnah hospital, Abbasi Shaheed and civil hospital of the city.  Karachi's most powerful political party, the Muttahida Qaumi Movement, demanded that the federal government respond to the violence. It threatened to call for a citywide strike unless the government brings the killings under control. The tensest areas were Orangi town, Qasba Morr and Katti Pahari where gun battle is continued between police and armed gangs. Police and Rangers are ineffective in the tense areas and densely polluted localities as the paramilitary troops are playing their role as mere silent spectators. Unofficially, police officials say Rangers are not willing to assist them. On the other hand, taking notice of the situation going on in Karachi, President Asif Ali Zardari has summoned a high-level meeting in the federal capital to review law and order. Also, Federal Minister for Interior Rehman Malik has sought a report for IG Sindh in this regard.

The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) says 1,300 killings have been reported in the country's biggest city this year, 490 of whom were victims of targeted killings blamed on political and ethnic tensions. The MQM is suspected of links to some of the armed gangs in the city, as are some of its rival political faction Awami National Party.