KARACHI: Armed muggers continued to strike with impunity in the metropolis a day before Eidul Fitr as they killed a florist, and shot at and wounded six others over resistance in different areas on Monday.

The incident of killing took place in Orangi Town.

SSP-West Dr Farrukh Raza said that as Mohammed Waseem, 38, opened his floral shop near Disco Mor, three suspects riding a motorbike appeared there. They tried to commit robbery, but when he put up resistance, the robbers opened fire on him and fled.

He suffered critical bullet injuries and was taken to Abbasi Shaheed Hospital (ASH) where doctors pronounced him dead.

The senior officer said police had obtained a CCTV footage from the surrounding areas and they were sure that it was the robbery-related incident.

However, the SSP-West quoted the victim’s brother as saying that it was not the case of snatching cash or resistance. There was other motive than robbery, the brother said.

Two barbers were shot at and wounded by robbers over resistance in Orangi Town on Monday, according to Pirabad police.

SSP Dr Raza said three suspects riding a motorbike arrived at a barber’s shop in Orangi Town, Sector-4-E near Al-Hasan Bakery. Two of them entered the shop and snatched cell phones from the customers and others while their third accomplice stayed outside. When they were fleeing, the robbery victims got hold on both suspects and even snatched a pistol from one of them.

But their accomplice who was standing at some distance opened fire on them and fled. As a result, two men suffered bullet wounds. One was hit in the leg and his condition was out of danger while the other man received a bullet wound in the chest and his condition was said to be serious.

The injured were identified as Fareed, 28, and Rafiq, 39. Some reports said the two injured were brothers. But police said they were not sure about their exact relation.

Bykea rider shot at, wounded

In another incident, a rider of a ride-hailing service was shot at and wounded over resistance by robbers near UP Mor, North Karachi.

New Karachi SHO Shahid Taj said Sikander Iqbal, 35, a Bykea rider, was on his way on the main road near Ashiyana Market when armed pillion riders intercepted him. They tried to snatch a cell phone from him. When he resisted, the robbers opened fire and fled. After suffering bullet injuries, he was transported to Abbasi Shaheed Hospital for treatment.

In Korangi area, a factory worker was shot at and wounded by robbers over resistance.

Awami Colony SHO Sohail Khaskheli said Aqeel Beg, 35, a salesman at a tissues manufacturing company, was on way home from office on a motorbike. Armed pillion riders intercepted him in a deserted area at Malir Nadi near Saima Plaza and tried to snatch a cell phone from him. But when he resisted, the outlaws opened fired on him and fled. With a bullet wound in his abdomen, he was shifted to a hospital where his condition was stated to be serious.

In Sohrab Goth, a man, Habib Rehman, 24, was shot at and wounded by armed men at Qayumabad near Junejo Town.

Police said the motive was not known, but an Edhi Foundation spokesperson said the young man was injured by robbers over resistance. The injured was shifted to the ASH for treatment.

In the Manghopir area, Abdul Ghani, 40, was shot and injured by muggers over resistance near Mengal Goth, Northern Bypass, the other night, according to the police.

The injured man was shifted to the ASH.

Published in Dawn,May 3rd, 2022