Slain assailant who attacked Khawaja Izharul Hassan identified

KARACHI: The slain assailant – who allegedly shot at Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM-P) senior leader Khawaja Izharul Hassan – has been identified as Ahsan, ARY News reported on Sunday.

The Closed Circuit TV (CCTV) footage of the incident available with ARY News shows that the assailant was subjected to torture by citizens before being killed by the police.

The authorities have identified him as Ahsan, an engineer by profession and resident of Sohrab Goth area of the metropolis.

Following his identification, the Law Enforcement Agencies (LEAs) carried out a raid at his residence in Sohrab Goth area of the metropolis arresting the suspect’s father and other relatives.

He was one of four assailants who opened fire on MQM lawmaker Khawaja Izharul Hassan when he was coming out of a mosque after offering Eid-ul-Azha prayers early Saturday morning in Buffer Zone area.

Earlier, police had claimed to have killed him in a gun battle after pursuing him.

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According to Ahsan’s initial autopsy report, he was shot in the head and his body was bearing several torture marks.

Informed sources said Ahsan had recently picked a quarrel with workers of a political party over a dispute in connection with extortion money.

On Saturday, MQM-P lawmaker Khawaja Izhar ul Hassan escaped an assassination attempt, but his security guard and a passer-by lost their lives in the attack.

Hassan had said the attackers were wearing helmets and putting on the police uniforms while talking to media yesterday.

One of the assailants was killed in an exchange of fire but other three managed to escape. A teenager, said to be 14-year-old, lost his life alongside Hasan’s security guard, a police constable.

Moreover, Sindh Inspector General (IG) AD Khawaja said that his department had cautioned MQM-P of a possible attack.

In a statement issued on Sunday, the provincial IG police said that the incident was an attempt to incite feud in the metropolis.