Karachi: Religious figure critically wounded in targeted attack

KARACHI: Religious figure Maulana Amir Shahab was targeted in a firing assault at Nipa Chowrangi of Karachi, ARY News reported on Friday.

As per initial reports, at least six unknown assailants on three motorbikes, opened fire at a vehicle as it was riding down from the Nipa flyover.

The attackers fled the scene after firing leaving Amir Shahab and his security guard severely wounded.

The injured were taken to the Jinnah Hospital. Executive Director of Jinnah Hospital, Dr. Seemi Jamali, confirmed that Maulana Amir Shahab is alive but in extremely critical condition. However, his security guard, who was identified as Sanobar Khan, succumbed to his wounds, Jamali added.

Police said 9-MM pistol was used in the attack.

The car bearing the number plate ATF-908 is registered under the name of Jamia Darul Uloom, online vehicle verification from the website of Excise & Taxation department confirmed.

Additional Inspector General (AIG) Karachi, Amir Sheikh, told media that the assailants attacked the second vehicle which was following Mufti Usmani’s car near Nipa roundabout.

“Not two, it is a single incident of firing and Maulana Taqi Usmani was the target,” the police officer said.

He said that Maulana Taqi Usmani remained safe as he was not boarded on the car which came under attack. The police officer said that the cleric was renowned for his neutral personality and services. He expressed sorrow over the attack on Mufti Taqi Usmani.

Sheikh has also rejected suspicions that the recent attacks were continuity and an attempt to spread sectarian violence in the metropolis.

On one hand, Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) in-charge Raja Umar Khattab has said that two terrorist incidents occurred in Karachi’s Nipa and Nursery areas.

Khattab said that the attackers possibly belonged to the same group who were distributed in separate teams to carry out the terror attacks.

While briefing media, the CTD official said that a security guard Sanober Khan was killed in Nipa’s firing incident and left Maulana Amir Shahab severely wounded. He added that a security guard was also killed in the Nursery’s attack on the second vehicle.

Superintendent Police (SP) Gulshan Tahir Noorani said that the attackers stormed both vehicles moving from Nipa flyover at University Road. He said that a security guard was killed in the first car but the driver managed to cut and run from the site.

Noorani said that a gunman of Mufti Usmani was martyred in the attack.