Nabeel Gabol gets lucky, where 7 others couldn’t

As law enforcers purged through the troubled Lyari town on Friday, Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) MNA Nabeel Gabol escaped unhurt in an armed attack while at least seven people, including a policeman, were reportedly shot dead and 25 others suffered bullet wounds in gunfights between gangsters and law enforcers.
The residents of Lyari witnessed another bloody day as law enforcement agencies (LEAs) launched an all-out operation against criminal elements in the embattled neighbourhood.
Gabol was attacked by unidentified armed men as he was returning from the funeral prayer of a party colleague, Malik Muhammad Khan, who was shot dead on Thursday The PPP lawmaker’s secretary, Zafar Brohi, told Pakistan Today that the PPP leader escaped unhurt in the attack but a man was killed and four other wounded in the attack.
Early in the morning, a heavy contingent of police supported by Frontier Constabulary (FC) personnel launched a grand operation under the supervision of Criminal Investigation Department (CID) Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Chaudhry Aslam against the notorious gangsters of Lyari.
The law enforcers cordoned off the town and blocked all entry and exit points. As they tried to enter the area, criminals attacked them with bombs and hand grenades.
The law enforcers sealed the areas of Nawen Lane, Ghas Mandi, Kalakot, Agra Taj, Cheel Chowk, Afshani Gali and Football Ground among other neighbourhoods and forced the criminals to move back.
The streets of Lyari presented the look of a battlefield. The markets and bazaars wore a deserted look as people were asked to remain indoors during the operation.
“We could not even offer the Friday prayers due to the operation,” a resident complained.
According to reports, a notorious gangster by the name of Naeem Lahoti was killed in an encounter with the police; however, police officials did not confirm the news.
Two people were killed in the firing of criminals near the Lyari General Hospital, police said.
The deceased were identified as Fida Hussain and Shoaib. They were taken to the Civil Hospital Karachi (CHK) for medico-legal formalities.
A man identified as Asif, 55, was shot dead at the Gabol Chowk by unidentified men. Welfare organisation workers shifted his body to the CHK.
Another man was gunned down by unidentified criminals near the Lyari Degree College, Police said. The body of the deceased was shifted to the CHK.
In Agra Taj Colony, unidentified attackers sprayed a police party with bullets, killing a police constable and injuring two others.
Superintendent of Police Nasir Aftab said the gangsters were using latest, sophisticated weapons to attack the law enforcers and stop them from entering Lyari.
“Three policemen, including a Deputy Superintendent of Police and Station House Officer, have been wounded during the operation up till now,” he said. “The operation is against criminals and anti-social elements in the town irrespective of their cast or political affiliation.”
Without disclosing any names, Aftab said the police arrested 10 to 12 notorious gangsters during the operation and seized a huge quantity of arms and ammunition.
CID SSP Chaudhry Aslam said that four criminals were killed during the police encounters. A man was killed also but by the firing of gangsters, he added.
“The operations will continue until the elimination of criminal elements in Lyari,” Aslam asserted.
Sindh Inspector General of Police Mushatq Shah also visited Lyari and inspected the ongoing operation against miscreants.
Talking to the media, the provincial police chief said that the situation is “under control now”.
Meanwhile, due to the operations against criminals in Lyari, the mathematics paper of the annual matriculation examination scheduled for Friday under Board of Secondary Education Karachi was postponed for the second time in six examination centres.
MQM CONDEMNS ATTACK ON GABOL: Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) chief Altaf Hussain telephoned MNA Nabeel Gabol and inquired about his well-being after his vehicle was attacked by armed terrorists in Lyari.
He condemned the attack on the PPP leader by the terrorists of Lyari gang war and expressed sympathies on the killing of Malik Mushtaq in the incident.
The MQM chief also offered his condolences on the death of Malik Muhammad Khan, the president of PPP Lyari, who was killed by the firing of unidentified gangsters on Thursday.