13 killed in Karachi on violence-hit day

At least 13 people were killed today, including three policemen, on a violence-hit day in Pakistan's biggest city.
Two police officials - ASI Allah Ditta and constable Wali Muhammad - were shot dead when unidentified men opened fire on a traffic checkpost near Sohrab Goth on the outskirts of the city, police said.
"The two have been identified and had just reached there for their duties when unknown assailants opened fire on them from outside the checkpost," SSP Aamir Farooqi told reporters.
Two motorbike-borne armed men opened fire on a rangers patrolling van on Burns road late night. In a retaliatory firing, one of them was killed while the other one was injured and arrested, he said.

In a separate incident, a traffic warden Mahmood Raza was shot dead in Gulistan-e-Jauhar while on duty.
In other target killing incidents, three men were shot dead in Lyari while others were killed in Orangi town, Saudabad, Board office, Golimar and Gulshan-e-Iqbal.

Police claim target killings have decreased in Karachi since an operation clean-up was launched last September by the rangers and police but transfers and postings in the police department this week have raised fears the operation could be affected.
The postings caused such a stir that even the DG rangers issued a statement asking the Prime Minister to intervene in the matter but during a meeting with Sindh chief minister today he was apparently told to remain in his domain and not interfere in provincial matters.

The postings refer to key and senior positions and led to a strong statement from city police chief Shahid Hayat.