A traffic police official was gunned down at Karachi's Matka Chowk by unidentified assailants on Wednesday.

The assailants fled the scene towards Surjani Town after opening fire at Gulzar-i-Hijri Traffic Police Officer Muhammad Rafiq, son of Ahmed Khan.

Police officials told Dawn that traffic officials were performing their duty at intersection between Ahsanabad and Surjani Town when armed pillion riders opened indiscriminate fire at them.

"Another police official, Abdul Hakeem, saved his life by hiding himself in bushes," said SSP Malir Sheeraz Nazeer while adding that investigators collected 18 spent bullet casings fired from 9mm pistols from the crime scene.

“Police is investigating the murder from all angles including terrorism,” SSP Nazeer, adding that the bullet casings have been sent to the police’s forensic laboratory to find out if the same weapon has been used in past murders in the metropolis.

Meanwhile, IGP Sindh, Dr Syed Kaleem Imam took notice of the attack and sought a detailed inquiry report from DIGs of East Zone and Traffic respectively.

He also directed the Malir SSP to preserve the crime scene and initiate an investigation by collecting evidences and taking statements from witnesses of the incident.