Schools, business centers and petrol stations shut down as party activists protest raid. —AP/File
KARACHI: A heavy contingent of Rangers raided Nine Zero, the headquarters of Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) in Karachi's Azizabad neighbourhood on Wednesday morning, prompting a protest by party activists and a subsequent call for a day of "peaceful mourning" across the country.
A number of party workers including Member of MQM's Rabita Committee Amir Khan were detained during the raid. Rabita Committee is MQM's central coordination cell.
A summary of the raid and subsequent events:
- MQM says office bearer killed during raid
- Cameraman injured while reporting on the scene
- Rangers say no man killed, hardened criminals arrested
- MQM announces peaceful protest
- Schools close, examinations postponed as citizens fear violence
Party office bearer killed: MQM
MQM spokesperson Wasay Jalil said a senior party office bearer, Waqas Ali Shah of the central information committee, was killed by Rangers during the raid.
Jalil said that Shah was killed in straight fire by Rangers personnel around 7:45 AM Wednesday morning. “Dozens of mobiles of Rangers appeared at Nine Zero around 6AM. Personnel proceeded to raid the 50 offices in our headquarters. They went to each office, went through all the files and broke telephones.”
A picture showing Waqas Ali Shah of MQM's central information committee who the party says was killed in the raid. Photo courtesy: Facebook
A rangers spokesperson said no one was killed during the raid but that 'unidentified men' opened fire injuring an Express News cameraman.
Rangers personnel after breaking barricades leading to MQM headquarters cordoned off the area and searched through departments of the party's offices .They also raided adjoining houses and arrested a number of MQM activists and leaders.
Rangers personnel rummaged through MQM's Nine Zero offices and adjoining houses. -DawnNews screengrab
Speaking to media, Col Tahir called the two hour raid a "purely information-based operation" and divulged that the Khursheed Memorial Hall at Nine Zero has been sealed and will be handed over to police for further investigation
During the raid, the Rangers cut off the telephone lines at Nine Zero, disabling communication with MQM's international secretariat
Party leader Haider Abbas Rizvi, who is in Islamabad, confirmed the raid to Dawn.com and said that communication with party workers at the headquarters could not be established during the raid.
Rizvi maintained that all the weapons seized by Rangers are licensed.
Rangers spokesperson Col Tahir said the raid lasted for two hours. -DawnNews screengrab
Scores of activists and party members protested the raid by Rangers by chanting slogans. Aerial firing also ensued outside Nine Zero as activists attempted to break Rangers' cordon.
MQM announced a day of peaceful protest against the search operation by Rangers and urged for transport services to be suspended throughout the day.
The incident has emerged on a day when Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif himself is due to visit the metropolitan today.
Rangers issue details of raid
A press release was issued by Rangers soon after the raid on MQM's headquarters.
It said: "Pakistan Rangers Sindh has conducted a series of targeted raids at Surrounding areas of 90 including Khursheed Memorial Hall today. During the above mentioned action following hardcore criminals have been arrested."
Following is the Rangers press release with details of those arrested:
- Faisal Mota (involved in murder of Wali Khan Babur and convicted and sentenced to death by court)
- Farhan Shabbir aka Mullah
- Amir
- Nadir (convicted and sentenced 13 years)
- Ubaid K 2
Journalist injured
Express News cameraman Waseem Mughal who was at Nine Zero among other media personnel has been injured due to firing.
An employee of the Express Media Group confirmed that Mughal has been shot in the arm and that his condition is stable.
‘Stolen ammunition seized’
Rangers officials say ammunition seized from Nine Zero was stolen from Nato containers. -DawnNews screengrab
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