Karachi: At least 12 people were killed on Wednesday in separate incidents of violence here on a day when Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif ordered authorities to abolish the existing no-go areas in Pakistan’s financial hub where over 2,000 people have been killed in the first eight months.
While the premier held meetings with top officials of the Intelligence agencies and Director-General Rangers in Karachi to discuss operations to clean up the city, the killings took place near National stadium, Baghdadi (Lyari), Machar Goth, Old Haji camp, Orangi town and Patel para.
Those killed included Pakistan Navy Captain, a police officer, a Ranger and a prayer leader of a mosque. “Three people were killed this morning when the Rangers carried out a operation in Baghdadi area and there was exchange of fire,” DSP Baghdadi Ghulam Ali said. “A local mosque prayer leader, Saleem, a passerby Amad and a police constable Aziz were killed in the firing,” he said.
A Rangers spokesman said one of their soldiers was killed in the operation. Early today, unknown gunmen opened fire on the car of Pakistan Navy Capitan Nadeem near National stadium. “Nadeem was with his wife and both were critically injured. Nadeem later died in hospital while his wife is in critical condition,” SSP Imran Shaukat said.
A firing incident also took place in Orangi town in which three people were killed, according to television channels. Police said that two bodies were recovered from Patel Para and Haji camp while one person was killed in a targetted attack in Machar Goth.
Prime Minister Sharif told the top officials of the Rangers and Intelligence agencies in the meeting that all no-go areas in the city must be abolished. Sharif said that the time for half hearted efforts to control the law and order situation was over and force would be used to ensure peace and security returns to the Karachites.
He also asked the intelligence and law enforcement agencies to improve intelligence sharing among them. Pakistan’s biggest city has become a hub of criminal and militant activities with targetted killings, kidnappings, extortion rackets and land grabbing assuming a epidemic nature since last year.
Political parties blame each other for harbouring and supporting militant and criminal groups. (PTI)