KARACHI, June 26: At least four more people were killed and five others, including three workers of the Pakistan People’s Party, wounded in different localities on Tuesday as the law-enforcement agencies failed to stem the tide of targeted attacks despite the importance the prime minister attached to the law and order situation during his recent visit to the metropolis.

Police believed that in most cases, the attacks were carried out to target people for their political activism or instil fear into residents, but together with the paramilitary force the police remained unable to trace those involved in the drive-by shootings.

In two separate early morning attacks, an officer and a driver of the Karachi Electricity Supply Company (KESC) were killed and a lineman was wounded, said police and the power utility.

“KESC deputy general manager Syed Ali Imran Jaffery, 40, was targeted near Saifee Degree College in North Nazimabad’s block F,” said Inspector Fasihuddin, the officer in charge of the Hyderi police post.

He added that the attackers wearing helmets sped away on a motorbike after executing the job. “They used a 9mm pistol, which is commonly used in targeted attacks,” said the officer.

He said: “Mr Jaffery was not affiliated with any political or religious organisation.”

The victim’s family was clueless about the motive and so were the police.

The Hyderi police later registered an FIR (18/2012) under Sections 302 (premeditated murder) and 34 (common intention) of the Pakistan Penal Code against unidentified suspects on a complaint of the victim’s family member.

According to a KESC statement, the victim was deputy general manager, IBC North Nazimabad (Region-IV).

As the police were connecting dots to ascertain the motive for the killing, a maintenance vehicle of the KESC came under a gun attack in a Malir locality.

The police officials said that gunmen riding a motorbike opened fire on the vehicle near Cooperative Centre of the Shamsi Housing Society.

“The firing left driver Aman Baloch and lineman Mohammad Nasir wounded,” said an official at the Al-Falah police station. Both were rushed to a private hospital on Stadium Road, where Mr Aman died during treatment, he said, adding that Nasir was said to be out of danger.

The KESC, meanwhile, sought immediate inquiry into the acts of ‘terrorism’ and harsh punishment to the culprits. The power utility criticised the law-enforcement agencies for not taking immediate action to chase and apprehend the attackers, who easily escaped.

MQM activist killed

On Jehangir Road, a 55-year-old activist of the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM), Mohammad Siraj, was gunned down inside his spare parts shop, said police.

They added that the attackers had arrived on a motorbike and managed to flee after killing the victim inside the shop.

“The victim was a resident of Martin Quarters area and had been running the shop for past many years,” said DSP Qaiser Ali Shah, the area’s sub-divisional police officer (SDPO). “He was a known MQM worker. Apparently, Siraj was targeted due to political reasons.”

Shop owner shot dead

Earlier, the owner of a puncture shop visited by his friends associated with a political party on a daily basis met the same fate, said an official at the Surjani Town police station.

The official added that 32-year-old Aqeel Nafees was busy in work when two men riding a motorcycle pulled up outside his shop. “One of them got off the two-wheelers, pulled out a pistol, fired at Aqeel and sped away with his accomplice,” said Surjani Town SHO Inspector Shabbir Hussain.

“The victim, an area resident, was not associated with any political party, but had several friends associated with a political party who used to sit at his shop regularly,” said the inspector.

“However, the reason for the murder is not yet clear,” he added.

Later, a younger brother of the victim lodged an FIR (290/2012) at the Surjani Town police station against unidentified persons under Sections 302 (premeditated murder) and 34 (common intention) of the Pakistan Penal Code.

Three PPP men wounded

In the evening, three young workers of the Pakistan People’s Party sustained gunshot wounds in an ambush on their car in a Nazimabad locality, said police.

The police added that Owais Khan, Imtiaz Khan and Afsar Khan were shot at and wounded near Chhota Maidan in Orangabad.

“They were shifted to the Abbasi Shaheed Hospital for treatment. Doctors have described their condition as stable,” said DSP Shahid Abbass, the area’s sub-divisional police officer.

ASWJ leader escapes attack

A senior leader of Ahle Sunnat Wal Jamaat, believed to be a reincarnation of the banned Sipah-i-Sahaba Pakistan, survived a gun attack on his vehicle in Qayyumabad, said police and party sources.

“Our secretary Orangzeb Farooqi was attacked near the Qayyumabad bridge while he was returning from Korangi after meeting some people there,” said a party spokesman.

The police said the gunmen rode away on their motorbike when Mr Farooqi’s guards returned fire.

“All the people, including three armed guards of Mr Farooqi, inside the vehicle remained unhurt, while one of the guards, Salahuddin, sustained injuries as he fell from the moving vehicle. He was shifted to the Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre for treatment,” said the party spokesman.

He condemned the attack and said the police and security agencies failed to protect party workers and leaders despite several assurances. “Only a few days ago, we have conveyed our concerns about the security of our leaders to police authorities and senior government officials but no step has been taken in this regard,” he added.