KARACHI, July 24: An Anti-Terrorism Court in Karachi on Saturday adjourned the hearing of trial against nine activists of banned Harkatul Mujahideen Al-Alami for their alleged involvement in the Macedonian consulate bomb blast and killing case after deposition by two prosecution witnesses.

Syed Sohail Akhtar alias Mustafa, Zafar Iqbal alias Sohail, Naeem Rafi alias Nimi, Mohammad Atif alias Kamran, Mohammad Khalid, Mahmoodullah, Abdul Razzaq alias Bhaiya, Samirullah alias Somi and Syed Ahmar Kazmi are being tried in ATC-V, headed by Judge Haq Nawaz Baloch.

It is charged that the accused allegedly killed three persons - Hameed Masih, Muhammad Asif and Ms Ghazala Parveen - at mid night on Dec 5, 2002, who were present at office of honorary Macedonian consulate in DHA area Karachi and later they blasted the office with an explosive device.

The lady doctor of JPMC, who conducted the postmortem of Ms Ghazala, and a police ASI Fida Hussain recorded their statements before the court.

The doctor said that the body of the women was brought to hospital at 5am on Dec 5, 2002 whose neck was cut by a sharp-edged weapon and her hands and feet were tied with ropes. She stated that she conducted the autopsy between 5.30am and 6.30am.

ASI Fida Hussain stated that having learnt about the explosion during patrolling, he reached the spot and saw the situation. He said he informed the SHO concerned.

Defence counsel M R Syed cross-examined the witnesses.

The trial, which is being conducted inside the Central Jail has been fixed for July 27 when more prosecution witnesses would depose.

Special Public Prosecutor Mazhar Qayyum is representing the state.-PPI