KARACHI, Oct 17: A young spare parts dealer was shot dead in front of his shop in Orangi Town on Wednesday.

Police said they suspected the killing was a result of the sectarian strife that had been raging in the city for the past few days.

The incident took place in Qasba Colony 2-1/2 within the remit of the Pirabad police station, where Ali Raza, 26, was sitting outside his shop when gunmen riding a motorcycle slowed down, fired shots at him and rode away.

The victim suffered a bullet each in the neck and chest which caused his instant death.

Police shifted the body to the Abbasi Shaheed Hospital for medico-legal formalities.

The station house officer of the Pirabad police station, Inspector Ashfaq Baloch, said the victim was the owner of the spare parts shop and looked after administrative matters of a neighbouring Imambargah.

Hailing from Rahimyar Khan, the victim had three children. The assailants used a 9mm pistol in the crime, police said. Quoting the victim’s family, police said he had no personal enmity with anyone.

“The killing appears part of the ongoing sectarian strife in the city,” said Inspector Baloch.

KMC inspector killed

An inspector of the Karachi Municipal Corporation was gunned down by gunmen on Shahrah-i-Noor Jehan on Wednesday.

Police said the incident took place in Sector 14-B of Shadman Town within the remit of the Shahrah-i-Noor Jehan police station, where KMC inspector Mohammad Shafqat, 40, was taking attendance of sweepers when two gunmen riding a motorcycle opened fire on him.

Police said two bullets struck the victim in the head, killing him instantly.

Station house officer Raja Tariq said a police van present near the scene chased the suspects, but they entered a narrow street having several speed bumps and escaped.

The body was shifted to the Abbasi Shaheed Hospital for medico-legal formalities.

Police said that as per his routine, the KMC inspector was noting the attendance sitting on a pavement when he was attacked.

He was a resident of Shadman Town, father of four and also an activist of the Muttahida Qaumi Movement.

Following the incident, tension gripped the entire locality and shops and markets were closed.

Young man found dead

The body of a young worker of the Muttahida Qaumi Movement was found near old Sabzi Mandi within the remit of the PIB Colony police station.

Police said the victim, shot twice in the head, was killed after being kidnapped.

Station house officer of PIB Colony Asif Munwwar said the victim was later identified as Bahadur Ali, 22, an activist of the MQM’s unit 58. Police said the victim had left home for Karnal Basti to see his sister on Tuesday evening, but went missing. He worked in a plastic factory.

Following the incident, tension flared in different parts of PIB Colony, where shops and markets were closed. Incidents of firing into the air were also reported in the locality. Police shifted the body to the Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre for medico-legal formalities.