Daily Times

KARACHI: One person was killed and six others were wounded as unidentified armed men hurled a hand grenade in a cloth market in Kharadar area of Karachi on Thursday.

According to the initial investigation, miscreants from Wasiullah Lakho group of Lyari gang war are behind the incident, who have been involved in demanding extortion from the traders of the market.

Police and Rangers reached the site of the attack near Akhwan Masjid Kharadar and the victims were rushed to the Civil Hospital.

The injured were identified as Ismail (39), Waqas (30), Abdul Sattar (65), Babu (35), Abdul Aziz (70) and Usama (25). The identity of the dead, 70 to 75 years of age, is yet to be ascertained, according to police.

Police suspects the involvement of Lyari gang behind the attack who hurled the grenade after the shopkeepers refused to pay extortion money.

Provincial home minister and police chief have taken notice of the incident and sought a report from the SSP.

One shop keeper told Daily Times that extortionists have demanded an amount of Rs 100 daily from every shop of the market.

Police has initiated the investigation on different lines, including the involvement of Lyari gang war and other militant groups from Balochistan.

In September last year, at least seven people were wounded when motorcyclists hurled a hand grenade near the residence of Lyari kingpin Uzair Baloch.

Published in Daily Times, January 19^th 2018.