KARACHI: A young man was killed and another injured on Wednesday in a firing incident, as a Rangers’ search operation in Kunwari Colony continued for a second consecutive day.
The incident took place in the wake of a protest staged by residents of Kunwari Colony, who were demonstrating against what they claimed was a farcical operation. Pirabad police said during the protest, unidentified persons opened fire at a Rangers vehicle parked near Ibrahim Masjid on Manghopir Road.
Rangers personnel retaliated the strike, but a 20-year-old Ateeq was caught by the firing, Chippa sources said. Another man, 25-year old Tahir, sustained bullet wounds. Both were rushed to the Abbasi Shaheed Hospital. Eyewitnesses told Pakistan Today that Rangers personnel sprayed protesters with bullets, and arrested dozens of local people.
Residents of the area further alleged that the operation is being carried out on an ethnic basis, and was being carried out only because the government wanted to appease an ally in the coalition. “Not a single terrorist or activist of any banned organization has been arrested from our area, and claims being made by law enforcement agencies’ (LEA) officials are baseless,” the residents said.
They also alleged that LEA personnel tortured them, and snatched their valuables during the operation. A woman, Asma, told Pakistan Today that police personnel snatched jewellery from her, which was worth 200,000, and brutally tortured her daughter.
Meanwhile, when Pakistan Today approached LEA officials for their version of events, they did not answer any questions about the operation. More than 300 suspects have already been arrested during the Manghopir operation that began on Tuesday morning.
