HYDERABAD: 'Unknown persons' torched three vehicles, attacked the residences of two PTI leaders, attacked a Lahore-bound train, and injured its driver, besides opening indiscriminate firing in various localities of Hyderabad and its adjoining areas.
Unidentified gunmen opened fire and pelted stones on the Pakistan Express train within the jurisdiction of Tando Yousuf police station, leaving the train driver injured.
The injured was shifted to Civil Hospital Hyderabad for treatment.
All the CNG stations and petrol pumps remained closed across the city which bore a deserted look amid panic.
Tyres were also burnt to block flow of traffic.
Small and big market remained closed in Heerabad, Liaquatabad Colony, Quaidabad, Phuleli, Preetabad, Raisham Bazaar, Gari Khata Chowk, Sarfaraz Colony, Cloth Market, Anaj Mandi, Subzi Mandi, Faqir Ka Pirr, Shahi Bazaar, Khokhar Mohalla and Latifabad.
One van was burnt at “Do Qabar” at Pucca Qilla while a Suzuki pick up was set ablaze at Pakistan chowk.
A Honda City car No ADK 057 of Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) candidate, Usman Kennedy was burnt outside his house.
Gunmen resorted to firing on the building, near Gul Khan petrol pump within the jurisdiction of Market police station, where the flat of Usman Kennedy is located.
“I was told by my nephew that my car is fired upon outside at around 6 am. I went downstairs and soon a mob of around 40 people struck there, fired on my building and then set my car on fire. Some of them also beat me up and the people of the locality had also gathered there to witness all this”, claimed Usman Kennedy.
Police reached the scene after two hours despite a two minutes travel distance between the police station and Kennedy's residence.
“Police are deployed outside my residence now and I am not allowed to come outside for the time being”, he said.
Kennedy had contested on PS-45 of the city in May 11 poll.
PTI district president’s house also came under attack in Kohsar area of Latifabad.
“My house was attacked by gunmen. They damaged my car by throwing a heavy stone on it. We remain confined to our house”, PTI Hyderabad district president, Mustansir Billa, told Dawn.com.
“I have not yet registered a case with police. My family is frightened. As a result of firing the windowpanes of my house are smashed”, he claimed.
