CRACKDOWN OPERATION AGAINST MQM INTENSIFIES

ARIF JAMAL, MQM SECTOR INCHARGE, SHOT AT AND INJURED IN KARACHI BY UNKNOWN ASSAILANTS IN KARACHI, PAKISTAN

Karachi – 18 August 2001

Mr Arif Jamal son of Ansar Hussain, the Incharge of MQM North Nazimabad Sector, was ambushed yesterday, on his way from Nine Zero, the MQM Head Office in Karachi.  It is reported that unknown armed assailants opened indiscriminate fire upon the 35-year-old Arif Jamal, while he was riding his motorcycle, on his way home.  He received gunshot wound on the left side of his face causing fracture to his jaw, injury to his nose and bleeding.  He was immediately taken to a nearby hospital, where after receiving first aid, it was advised that he should be shifted to the Jinnah Post Graduate Medical Centre in Karachi.  Till the filing of this report, his medical condition remained critical.

It should be noted that for the past couple of days, the police, paramilitary rangers and their sponsored terrorists, the Haqiqi, have intensified their activities, particularly nearby Nine Zero.  On 17 August 2001, the police and paramilitary rangers arrested Mohammad Imran son of Qutb Uddin, Incharge of MQM Lyari Sector, along with Syed Naeem Ali son of Shabbir Ali, Member of MQM Lyari Sector Committee, under similarly conditions while they were on their way home after attending a meeting at Nine Zero.  Similarly, the personnel of paramilitary rangers arrested Mohammad Abid son of Mohammad Deen, a worker of MQM Unit 29, Lyari Sector, from his residence. 

Correspondingly, on 16 August 2001, the personnel of Preedy Police Station and CIA Police raided several houses of MQM office bearers and workers.  During these raids, they raided the office of Irshad Ali Baig, former Sector Incharge and arrested him.  Moreover, they raided the residence of Aslam Shah, former Member of MQM Sector Committee and arrested him.  Likewise, the raiding party went to the house of Ali Asghar Zaidi, Joint Incharge of MQM Unit 197, Sector Lines Area, and arrested him.