- Police says unidentified armed men on motorcycles intercepted Godil’s vehicle and fired eight bullets after identifying him
Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) leader Rashid Godil was critically wounded after unidentified armed men opened fire at his vehicle near his residence in Karachi’s Bahadurabad area on Tuesday. The attack killed Godil’s driver but his wife, who was also travelling with him, remained unhurt.
Godil has undergone emergency surgery and was reportedly in a critical condition at the Liaquat National Hospital. Hospital sources said that the MQM leader suffered five bullet wounds on his chest, head and arm. He underwent surgery at a private hospital and was later put on ventilator in the Intensive Care Unit of Liaquat National Hospital, according to the Liaquat National Hospital spokesperson.
The spokesperson added that Godil’s driver, who was also injured in the incident, was shifted to the Aga Khan University Hospital where he died during treatment.
According to the Gulshan SP, unidentified motorcycle-riding armed men intercepted Godil’s vehicle and fired eight bullets after identifying the Muttahida leader. He added that eight spent bullet casings of a 9mm pistol were recovered from the spot.
Fear and panic gripped the city as markets and shops closed down their businesses in different areas after the attack.
Addressing a press conference, MQM leader Farooq Sattar, who was flanked by Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) chief Fazlur Rehman, condemned the ‘cowardly terrorist attack’ on Rashid Godil. He said that condemnations against the tragic incident had poured in from within the party and other political quarters.
A large number of MQM leaders, supporters and activists began gathering at the party’s Nine Zero headquarters where they were holding prayers for the speedy recovery of the wounded party leader.
In the meanwhile, the police have formed a joint investigation team (JIT) under the supervision of DIG East Munir Shaikh to probe the incident. SSP East Javed Jiskani, SSP East Investigation Zulfiqar Meher and SSP SIU Farooq Awan will be the members of that team.
A press release issued by Rangers also condemned the attack on MQM leader and wished for his speedy recovery. The statement added that probe into various aspects of the incident was under way and those responsible for the attack would be brought to justice soon.
The Rangers press release also appealed to citizens to provide any information regarding the attack on the Rangers 1101 helpline.
Moreover, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, President Mamnoon Hussain, MQM chief Altaf Hussain, Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Co-Chairman Asif Ali Zardari, PPP Chairman Bilawal Zardari, PPP Sindh’s senior minister Nisar Ahmad Khuhro and Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) spokesperson Shireen Mazari among other leaders and officials condemned the attack on Godil and termed the incident an attempt to ruin the atmosphere of the city.
Rashid Godil had served as MQM’s deputy parliamentary leader in the National Assembly until MQM lawmakers’ recent submission of resignations from parliaments. He was elected as a Member of National Assembly from Karachi’s NA-252 constituency during the 2013 general elections.