Terrorists attack PNS Mehran, Karachi

BNewsworld KARACHI: Two powerful explosions and firing were heard near the Pakistan Air force (PAF) Museumjavascript:void(0), BNewsworld reported Sunday night.
Eyewitnesses informed BNewsworld that two blasts were heard at about 10:35pm.

Sources said that 10 to 15 terrorists are still in PNS Mehran where exchange of firing between terrorists and law enforcement agencies continue.

Police, rangers and other law enforcement agencies rushed and cordoned off the area soon after the blasts and firing.

Rescue teams including Edhi and Chhipa ambulances have entered PAF Faisal Base.

The CPLC Chief Ahmed Chinoy said that the situation was not clear yet.

Ahmed requested people to take alternative routes as rush on the roads have disturbed rescue teams to reach on the spot.

Exchange of firing still continues.

Interior Minister Rehman Malik directed law enforcement agencies to reach where terrorists attacked.

Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani has telephoned Rehman Malik, directing him to take appropriate measures immediately. 

Violence erupts in Karachi; 35 killed

KARACHI: At least 35 people were killed and several others wounded in separate incidents of violence in Karachi, SAMAA reported.

Tension gripped the city when media started airing news reports about the assassination of MQM MPA Raza Haider in a drive-by shooting in Nazimabad.

Later, violence erupted in the city, killing at least 29 people, out of which 13 dead bodies were brought to Jinnah Hospital.

Sixteen bodies were rushed to different hospitals.

In addition, three dozens of vehicles, including passenger buses, were torched and attacked in different areas of the metropolis.

Sher Rehman, 40, was shot dead by unknown gunmen in Gulistan-e-Johar. Another two persons were later killed in the same area. Five persons were shot and killed in North Karachi, Nazimabad Number-2 and Orangi Town.

There were reports of unrest in North Karachi and New Karachi, where unknown persons shot dead several people besides setting hotels and vehicles on fire.

In addition, several shops and a petrol pump were also torched in Orangi Town.

MQM announces 3-day mourning

Awaz Apni KARACHI: The Muttahida Qaumi Movement will observe a three-day mourning against the killing of party’s MPA Raza Haider in Karachi.

Haider was killed in a drive-by shooting in North Nazimabad area of Karachi on Monday evening.

A guard and an MQM activist were also killed in the ambush.

In a statement issued from London, MQM chief Altaf Hussain termed as ‘shocking’ the assassination of party’s lawmaker Raza Haider.

Hussain said his heart was shedding tears of blood at the martyrdom of Raza Haider.

He also expressed grief over death of Haider’s guard and a party’s activist in the ambush.

Hussain also paid a tribute to the martyred leaders, calling him a true activist, who stood by the part in every thick and thin.

Geo Blog Karachi killings ‘attempt to destabilize city’: MQM

CNews World KARACHI: MQM leaders Babar Ghauri, Haider Abbas Rizvi and Faisal Sabzwari expressed profound grief on the killing of MQM MPA Raza Haider along with his guard here in Nazimabad on Monday.

"It would be difficult to put a cap on the chapter opened (today)," Babar Ghauri asserted.

Talking to Geo News they said the tragic incident was to destabilize the city, which is the economic hub of the country.

Unknown armed motorcyclists fired shots at MQM leader and MPA Raza Haider as well as his guard when he was preparing to attend a funeral prayer at Jamia Masjid of Nazimabad Block No.2.

Raza Haider died while he was being shifted to Abbasi Shaheed Hospital. His guard succumbed to the bullet wounds later in the hospital.

Fear grips Karachi, Hyderabad after killings

Awaz Apni KARACHI/HYDERABAD: Separate incidents of firing were reported in different parts of Karachi and Hyderabad shortly after the fatal attack on MQM leader while several vehicles were set on fire in different parts of the cities.

The incident sent a wave of fear and panic across the metropolis, as shopkeepers pulled down their shutters in view of any violent reaction by enraged people.

Reports of traffic jam have been reported on main roads and streets across city.

Shahi Syed wants stern action against perpetrators

Awaz Apni KARACHI: President Awami National Party (ANP) Sindh, Shahi Syed Saturday expressed sympathy with the MQM over the killing of their MPA Raza Haider.

He was talking in Awaz Apni News programme Crsis Cell. He was of the view that the reason behind this was to destabilize the city and instigate violence. He demanded stern action against the culprits.

Breaking News Karachi: MQM MP Raza Haider gunned down

Breaking News Awaz Apni Karachi: Muttahida Qaumi Movement leader Raza Haider shot dead by firing of two unidentified gunmen in North Nazimabad 2. Raza Haider was a member of Sindh Assembly.

Unseen forces are trying to target MQM, says Sabzwari 
Senior Muttahida Qaumi Movement leader Faisal Sabzwari while talking to Awaz Apni News expressed grieve on the murder Raza Haider.
Sabzwari said that “Raza was my colleague in the provincial assembly. He was closely affiliated with MQM. Most MQM leaders receive threats on regular intervals.”
“We are trying to gather information at the moment. All we know is that Raza went to a funeral where he was shot,” Sabzwari added.
Sabzwari was of the view that unseen forces are trying to target MQM. He urged that MQM will publish all findings into the killings.


Malik requests people remain calm
Interior Minister Rehman Malik speaking on the occasion said that people should avoid speculation. He said that proper investigations will be carried out into the matter. He further said that forces are trying to initiate a fresh wave of violence in our economic hub Karachi.
Malik was of view that earlier terrorist tried to destabilize the country by adopting tactics to initiate sectarian violence.
“I will request people to stay calm. I request everyone to cooperate with the authorities. All those involved will be brought to justice.”Interior Minister said.

MQM MPA gunned down in Karachi

Awaz Apni KARACHI: Raza Haider, MQM leader and member Sindh Assembly, and his guard have been gunned down here in Nazimabad on Monday, Geo News reported.

Unknown armed motorcyclists fired shots on Raza Haider as well as his guard when he was preparing to attend a funeral prayer at Jamia Masjid of Nazimabad Block No.2. 

Raza Haider, who received a bullet in his head died when he was being rushed to Abbasi Shaheed Hospital. The guard later succumbed to his injuries while receiving medical aid at the hospital.

The MQM leader was elected from PS-94 Karachi 6.

CM Sindh suspends employees’ holidays over flood threat

Awaz Apni KARACHI: The Chief Minister Sindh Syed Qaim Ali Shah has suspended the holidays of the employees’ of concerned departments over flood warning in Sindh, said sources Friday.

According to sources, the CM Sindh Syed Qaim Ali Shah has suspended the holidays of police, health, revenue, agriculture and other concerned departments over flood warning in Sindh.

The CM has ordered the employees to perform their duties till the issuance of further notice.

The CM Sindh has sent 10 boats for the rescue activities in flood-hit Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

The heavy showers that continued for the last 36 hours caused floods in almost all rivers and streams of the province that washed away hundreds of homes and shops, dozens of bridges, roads and destroyed communication networks, besides livestock and standing crops.

The death toll from torrential rain and floods in various parts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa during the last two days reached 250 as dozens more casualties were reported on Friday.

Blast heard in PIA plane at airport

Awaz Apni KARACHI: A loud blast has been heard in an engine of PIA’s flight PK-747, a bowing commercial plane, when the airliner was preparing to take off at Jinnah International Airport.

Engine caught fire following blast as the fire and smoke is seen emitting from engine.

Explosion was reportedly happened when one of the engines suddenly started running in reverse, eyewitnesses said.

The flight was bound to Islamabad from Karachi meanwhile rescue vehicles and police mobile vans have arrived near plane to determine the loss of life or goods if happened.

PIA engineers said they will issue clearance after a thorough review of plane condition for operation of a flight.

Unknown miscreants torch van in Gulshan-e-Iqbal

Awaz Apni KARACHI: Unknown miscreants have set on fire a van near Disco Bakery in Gulshan-e-Iqbal, Geo News reported Sunday.

The incident spread panic in the area where all shops and businesses were closed.

News Alert Another 6 shot dead in Karachi

As many as six persons have been gunned down in the fresh incidents of targeted killing in Karachi pushing the tally to 15 in two days, Geo436 News reported on Sunday.
The continued patrolling by the Rangers failed to avert the killings going on in the metropolis for some time. Armed men forcefully got the shops shut in Gulistan-e-Jauhar. Unidentified miscreants gunned down a 35-year-old Nisar, a dumper driver in Orangi Town while injured one Abdul Wahid. Body of Fateh Sher (24) found in the precincts of General Hospital, Lyari whereas a tied dead body has been found from Korangi No 5. Five people killed on Friday night including Taj Rabbani, Waseem, Abdul Malik, Raju, Badshah Khan and Yasir Khan were gunned down by firing of unidentified persons. The total number of victims in target killings in the metropolis crossed 40 in a five-day span.

News Alert Karachi targeted killings reach 15 in 24 hours

Geo KARACHI: The fresh wave of targeted killings that began Friday night in Karachi has turned severe, as 15 more people have been killed in separate incidents of firing within last 24 hours.

The death toll from violent incidents had mounted to 9 before six more people were gunned down on Saturday while 10 people have sustained injuries.

According to police, two men were shot dead by unknown armed assailants when they attacked a state agency in Khuda Ki Bast, Surjani Town. Enraged people set on fire a bus, which led to closure of shops and businesses in the area.

Intermittent firing continues in the area. In another incident, one man was killed and two injured by armed men.

686 fall prey to target killings since Jan 2010: Qaim

Awaz Apni Karachi: Sindh CM Syed Qaim Ali Shah said that 686 people have been killed in Karachi from January 2010 and involvement of land mafia in target killings cannot be ruled out. He said that judicial inquiry of these incidents would be held. During a joint press conference with Federal Interior Minister Rehman Malik, Qaim Ali Shah said that he had detailed discussion with the interior minister on the issue of Karachi target killings. He said that modern security equipment has been installed at Karachi Airport to stop terrorism. He said that police should arrest all criminals and hold investigations. He said that such information has been collected that terrorists leave the city after terror incidents. Rehman Malik said that evil elements behind these heinous crimes would be brought to justice. He said that action speaks louder than words and it is decided that targeted action would be taken against those involved in the target killings. He said that allies should avoid exchanging harsh words against each other. He said that criminal elements and terrorists who left the city in 24 hours of any incident would be traced. He said that it is a planned conspiracy against Karachi. He said that operation against criminals in Karachi has been started. He said that CCTV cameras would be installed at every nook and corner of the city. He said that terrorists want to create anarchy in Pakistan. Earlier, Sindh Chief Minister Syed Qaim Ali Shah chaired a high-level meeting to review the ongoing acts of targeted killings in Karachi. Interior Minister Rehman Malik also attended the meeting.

MQM claims ‘ANP backed land mafia behind Karachi violence’

AwazApni KARACHI: Central Leader of Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) Dr. Farooq Sattar Saturday called for prompt and strict action against ‘land mafia, drug mafia and arms mafia’ to ensure peace in the metropolitan city.

At a press conference called in emergency, the MQM leader flanked by members of MQM Rabitta Committee Raza Haroon, Nasreen Jalil and Wasay Jalil alleged that Awami National Party (ANP) continued to function as a political party until it was led by Bacha Khan but ‘now the sole objective of the party is to patronize land mafia, drug mafia and an armed group’.

“It was ANP’s armed terrorists who attacked MQM’s office, killing one of our worker while (some) other party members who were seriously injured are still under treatment at a hospital,” he alleged.

Dr. Farooq Sattar said 'land grabbers' are challenging the writ of the government and called for steps to put a strict check on the same.