KARACHI - At least 16 people, including the policemen were gunned down in a fresh wave of targeted killings here on Saturday.
The first major incident took place in Gulshan-e-Iqbal where gunmen riding motorcycles sprayed bullets at Agha Haider Juice Centre near Gulshan Chowrangi.
Following the incident, Juice Centre’s owner, Abdul Wahid, his employees Nazir Ali and Hussain Ali lost their lives and two more of his workers Tasawar Abbas, Ghulam Nabi, owner of the Fast Food, Jawad Haider and his worker Raees were wounded in the attack. The incident took place in the wee hours when owners and employees were ready to go home.
Witnesses said at least three to four motorcyclists wearing Shalwar Kamiz were behind the attack. They reached outside the shop and sprayed bullets and also entered the shop to target rest of the men inside the shop.
Police believed it was the sectarian attack targeted Shia community. Police ruled out the possibility of extortion and any other dispute. Police have also found more than one dozen empty shells of 9mm pistols and sent them to the Forensic Division of the Sindh Police. The victims were relatives. They were the residents of Yaqoob Shah Colony, Manghopir.
In another similar incident, armed motorcyclists killed two brothers who were also the seminary students on Rashid Minhas Road in Jauharabad Police precincts. The victims were identified as Abid Mavia, 25, and Sajid Mavia, 28. They were the students of Jamiah Arabia Ahsan-ul-Uloom in Gulshan-e-Iqbal. They were going to the seminary when armed motorcyclists shot them dead. Their killings sparked violence and score of their comrades gathered on Main Rashid Minhas Road and other roads of Gulshan-e-Iqbal and blocked them for hours. They staged protest and also pelted the passing vehicles with stones. They also burn tyres on roads, causing massive traffic jam. Ahle Sunnat Wal Jamaat claimed their affiliations.  “Gulshan-e-Iqbal has become a “no-go” area where Ahle Sunnat leaders, scholars, students and common people are being targeted and killed,” said ASWJ leader Maulana Aurangzaib Farooqui in his address to the participants of the funeral.
Meanwhile, Rangers again pinpointed a political party which was behind the sectarian killing in Karachi.
Rangers spokesperson said the current raise in sectarian killings in Karachi was a conspiracy to disrupt law and order in the City to achieve ulterior motives. Rangers have already got some leads that a political party is behind these killings. “Shia and Sunni communities are living in harmony but some anti-state elements are trying to create sectarian strife,” claimed the spokesperson. “The law enforcement agencies will soon arrest the culprits behind this conspiracy.”
It is worth mentioning here that law enforcers have repeatedly claimed about the involvement of a political party but unable to prevent such frequent incidents.
Moreover, as many as 11 people among five cops were killed in separate incidents of violence here on Saturday.
Head constable Lal Haleem and constable Younus were killed and another constable Kamran wounded when armed motorcyclists opened fire at the police mobile in Pirabad area. The incident took place when police was on routine patrolling and gunmen riding a motorbike targeted them and escaped. Cops were transported to Abbasi Shaheed Hospital where doctors pronounced the death of two and termed the condition of another critical. 
Separately, a policeman was shot dead in Shahnawaz Shar Goth. The victim was identified as Mohsin, 37. Police officials said the victim was killed when he was giving protection to the team of Karachi Building Control Authority who went there to evacuate the land occupied by the land grabbers. Police officials said armed men from the protesters opened fire at the police when the police used teargas shells to disperse the protesters.
The police have also detained around one dozen suspects and initiated investigation.
Another young man was found dead from Rizvia locality. The victim has yet to be identified. SHO Hassan Haider said the victim was shot dead. His hands and legs were also tied with the rope. Apparently, it seems that he was killed by the gangsters on suspicion of being an informant. Further investigation was underway.
A youth, identified as Iqbal Rafaqat, 30, was found dead from Shah Latif locality. Police said the victim was tortured to death. The motive behind the incident has yet to be ascertained.
A scrap dealer Munir Fareed, 28, was shot dead in Saeedabad area. SP Malik Ehsan said the victim was apparently killed over offering resistance in a robbing bid.
A teen was found dead from Indus Plaza in Sohrab Goth. The victim was later identified as Imran, 14. The body was taken to Abbasi Shaheed Hospital where doctors confirmed that he was assaulted and killed. DSP Khalid Khan also confirmed that some unidentified persons subjected him to rape and later killed him by hitting a sharp material on his head. A case has been registered.
In another incident, a youth who has yet to be identified was shot dead in Pak Colony area over unexplained reasons.
Moreover, head constable Lal Haleem and constable Younus were killed and another constable Kamran was wounded when armed motorcyclists opened fire at a police mobile in Pirabad area.
Meanwhile, a youth who has yet to be identified was shot dead in Pak Colony area over unexplained reasons. Similarly, one Saeed, 40, was shot dead near Hydri Market, North Nazimabad area.