February 08, 2008	Friday	Muharram 29, 1429

KARACHI, Feb 7: Sporadic on Thursday in different parts of the city heightened tension that prevailed after the killing of Fazal Rahman Kakakhel, vice-president of the Awami National Party, on Wednesday morning near Al Asif Square on Super Highway.

In one of the incidents, thought to be related to the reaction to the killing, at least nine vehicles parked outside the Chaudhry Transport Company near Shipowners College in North Nazimabad were set on fire on Thursday morning.

Shahrah-i-Noorjehan police said a mob torched two buses, three coasters, three vans and a car. The company’s employees tried to intervene but armed men among the attackers resorted to firing into the air to foil their attempt.

Several more vehicles parked nearby were, however, saved by the employees.

Sources said the fire tenders arrived only after nine vehicles had been gutted. The fire-brigade team was escort by police personnel.

The ANP leader was leaving the Al Asif Square, an apartment block near Sohrab Goth, on Wednesday afternoon when two armed men riding a motorcycle shot him dead.

Protesters blocked the road leading to Super Highway with barricades and burning tyres for the second consecutive day prompting the police to fire teargas shells and apply baton-charge.

“By sunset, we got the road cleared and opened it to traffic,” DIG East Salman Syed said. He confirmed that two policemen sustained injuries while performing their duties.

Some three dozen protesters were arrested for creating a law and order situation, he added.

Tension also prevailed in Quaidabad, Landhi, Banaras Chowk and some parts of the Site Town where sporadic violence took place on Thursday. Protesters threw stones at moving vehicles and tried to put up barricades and light bonfires on various roads in the troubled localities but police moved in quickly and prevented the situation from getting worse.

In Lyari, protesters blocked several roads with burning tyres and barricades and forced shopkeepers in different localities to pull down their shutters. The affected localities included Lea Market, Sheedi Village, Aath Chowk, Bhitai Road and Memon Society.

SP Fayyaz Khan of Lyari told Dawn that tension grew high for some time in certain areas when armed youths protesting against the ANP leader’s killing took to the streets and tried to create a law and order situation. “We removed the barricades put up by them in the streets and brought the situation under control,” he added.

Dispelling the impression that PPP workers, observing Chehlum of slain party chief Benazir Bhutto, were also involved in the protest, a local PPP leader, ex-MPA Salim Hingoro, said that his party had nothing to do with the street protest in Lyari on Thursday.

ANP leader’s funeral

Funeral prayers of ANP leader Fazal Rahman Kakakhel were offered at Madina Colony in Sohrab Goth area on Thursday morning. A large number of his party colleagues, relatives, friends and residents of the area took part in the last rites.

Meanwhile, ANP leader Amin Khattak announced three-day mourning for the departed soul. He also condemned the government for its failure to rein in terrorists and ensure safety and security of citizens.

Case registered

Sachal police have registered a case (FIR No.55/08) against unknown attackers under sections 302 (murder) and 324 (attempted murder) of the Pakistan Penal Code on the complaint of Safeer, who was also shot and injured in the attack.