.:: SAMAA - 3 killed as Malik says target killing not to be tolerated

By Kamil Arif

KARACHI: After 15 men were killed over the weekend, Federal Minister on Interior Rehman Malik said that target killing would not be tolerated and strict action would be taken if it continued.

Malik said this on Tuesday upon his arrival in Karachi. He spoke to the media with Sindh Govenor Ishratul Ebad at his side.

While on one hand Malik was reiterating the government’s no-tolerance policy regarding target killings, three people, including a local councilor, were targeted and killed in Karachi.

Saddar Town Councilor, Siraj, was shot dead by unidentified motorcyclists in Ranchore Line. The culprits managed to make good their escape and the area was deserted within minutes, as shops and markets closed down within minutes.

In another incident, Fawad and Allah Nawaz were killed by unidentified men in Baldia Town.

Both the incidents actually took place while Malik and Sindh Governor Ishratul Ebad were addressing a conference on the issue.

BLOODY SATURDAY

At least 15 people were killed in separate target killings in Karachi on Saturday. The victims included a police inspector and four political activists.

These killings took place in various areas of the city including Shah Faisal Colony, New Karachi, Preedy, Gulistan-e-Jauhar, Liaquatabad, Gulshan-e-Hadeed, Kharadar and Al-Falah.

CID police inspector Nasir Baloch was found dead after being kidnapped in Kharadar. The slain police official was shot in the head.

A man was killed and two injured when they were shot by unidentified men in Liaquatabad No.4.

Two activists of the Mohajir Qaumi Movement-Haqiqi, Asif and Waseem, were gunned down respectively in Shah Faisal and Preedy.

The body of a murdered Sunni Tehreek activist, Abid, was found in Al-Falah.

A man named Pervez was shot dead in Gulistan-e-Jauhar.

A senior member of the Muttahida Qaumi Movement sector committee, Mohammad Sadiq, was shot dead in Gulshan-e-Hadeed.

An unidentified body was found in a sack near the Civil Hospital Karachi on Sunday morning.

RANGERS TAKEOVER SINDH

In light of the recent spate of target killings, the Sindh government has authorized the Sindh Rangers to conduct search operations throughout the city so that the culprits can be brought to justice.

“A judicial investigation will be conducted into these target killings and the murders of various policemen in Karachi,” announced Federal Minister on Interior Rehman Malik, after attending a high-level meeting over the city’s law and order situation at the Sindh Chief Minister House late on Tuesday night.

Malik claimed that come Wednesday, these target killings will start decreasing. “The Rangers have been given full power to take action. The special police squad will assist the Rangers in all operations,” stated Malik.

“The police and Rangers will patrol sensitive areas 24 hours a day. The Crisis Management Cell will be made more effective by the establishment of a special unit,” he said, while also announcing the allocation of jobs and plots for the heirs of the victims of these target killings.

Malik said that the government will promote a Community Video Force, whereby Rs 0.5 million would be given to anyone who manages to capture a photo or video of the killers. He also announced the setup of a new three-digit police helpline. SAMAA