Karachi target killings claim 55 lives in 5 days

Political violence has rocked Karachi once again after motorcycle-borne gunmen opened fire in a busy market, shooting down 12 people and injuring many others. The attack in the city's biggest junk market for car spare parts occurred on Tuesday night, taking the toll of target killings in the last five days to 55. 

The bikers opened fire as they zipped past passersby in the market. Around 31 people were killed in different firing incidents including the attack in the Kabari market in Shershah area since Tuesday, police and rescue officials said.

As the news of the motorcycle-borne killings spread, tension and fear gripped the city, with some areas witnessing protests by the people.

The wave of violence erupted in the city after the killing of Muttahida Quami Movement provincial lawmaker Raza Haidar and it became widespread during the polling held on Sunday to fill the vacancy. As the clashes between ethnic Pashtuns and Mohajirs, settlers from India continued in the aftermath of MQM's cakewalk win in the Orangi parliamentary by-election, ruling Pakistan People's Party senior leader Nabil Gabol demanded that the army be called in to control law and order situation.

Most of the killings in the city with a population of more than 16 million have been attributed to armed gangs controlled by political parties.