KARACHI: Police on Wednesday launched an investigation into the killing of an official of the Karachi Development Authority, who was also stated to be “active in religious activities” as a senior official of a religious organisation, police and party officials said.

Mohammed Ali Shah, 46, was shot dead by gunmen riding a motorcycle while he was travelling in a car by a popular restaurant on Shahrah-i-Quaideen in the Ferozabad police limits.

“We are investigating the murder from both angles of sectarian and business issues,” said Karachi East DIG Amir Farooqi.

He said it appeared that the motorcycle riders had been following the victim, and the investigators were trying to obtain CCTV footage to ascertain their identity.

Ammunition recovered from sewer in Lyari

Meanwhile, his funeral prayer was held at the Ancholi Imambargah, which was attended by political and religious leaders.

The victim was also vice president of the Shia Ulema Council (SUC), said Nazir Abbas Taqvi, president of the SUC, while speaking to the media at the Imambargah.

He said their party office-bearers felt threatened after removal of security guards on directions of the Supreme Court. Mr Taqvi termed the murder of the KDA official as a “targeted killing”.

Mr Taqvi said that recently five members of the Shia community had fallen victim to targeted killings in the city. The Sindh SUC president warned that if any member of the Shia community was killed in the future, they would get an FIR registered against the IGP and the chief minister of Sindh.

Grenades, ammunition found in sewer

Pakistan Rangers Sindh on Wednesday claimed to have seized hand grenades and a large quantity of ammunition in the Lyari area.

The paramilitary force received information that a mysterious bag was spotted during cleaning of a sewer near Dubai Chowk.

Rangers’ personnel rushed to the spot and seized the bag containing grenades and ammunition.

“This ammunition was dumped there by miscreants linked with the Zahid Ladla gang to spread lawlessness and terror in the city,” said a Rangers spokesman.

He added that five hand grenades, four detonators, 1,220 rounds of M-4 rifle and 130 rounds of 8mm rifle were seized.

Published in Dawn, January 24th, 2019