Two Chinese nationals wounded in textile mill shooting

Two Chinese nationals were wounded on Tuesday by a security guard who opened fire on them at a textile mill in SITE Area. The incident reportedly occurred following an argument.

The guard fled after the attack, and a search is under way to arrest him. Both foreign nationals are employees of the Liberty Textile Mill.

Police said they are investigating the matter from all angles, and would also ascertain if terrorists are involved. The injured were taken to the hospital, where both of them were reported to be in a serious condition.

Reports suggest the guard identified as Sharifullah had fired 16 rounds from a 9mm pistol using steel bullets.

Police sources said they are trying to verify whether the suspect hails from

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa or Chaman, Balochistan, as both locations have been mentioned in connection with his background.

The guard had been working at the mill for five months. After the foreign nationals entered the factory on Tuesday, he followed them to the upper floor, where the shooting took place.

Dressed in a blue shalwar kameez, the suspect fled through the main gate after the incident. Police teams have been deployed to arrest him. They have also obtained the CCTV camera footage showing the guard fleeing.

The injured, identified as Yang Feng and Luen Zheng, were taken to a private hospital, where one of them is currently in critical condition. A specialised medical team has been formed to treat the

victims.

Rumours have been circulating that the Chinese nationals have died, but a senior doctor at the hospital clarified that such reports are false. Both victims have suffered gunshot wounds, and their condition is serious, but they are alive and being treated.

Sindh Home Minister Ziaul Hassan Lanjar has sought details of the incident from South Zone police chief Asad Raza. The minister ordered that a comprehensive inquiry be conducted to uncover the facts. He also ordered that a detailed report, including the findings and police actions, be provided to him.

Lanjar ordered the arrest of the suspect, and also directed that an audit of the companies providing security to Chinese and other foreign nationals be conducted. He told the companies to ensure the physical and mental fitness of the guards assigned for critical security roles.

He emphasised that only fully trained and fit security guards should be employed, and unregistered or illegal security companies should face a crackdown. Senior police officials, including DIG Raza and Karachi police chief Javed Alam Odho, were at the textile mill to oversee the investigation.

Meanwhile, Lanjar held a meeting at the provincial assembly to discuss further reforms related to the airport and security. He said that a security audit should be conducted, and all the stakeholders should be taken on board in this regard.

He also said that orders to form a committee regarding the airport and security should be implemented immediately, adding that the committee would comprise Home Secretary Iqbal Memon; the Karachi police chief; the DIGs of the East Zone, the CTD, the Special Branch and the Special Protection Unit; the Intelligence Bureau joint director; other law enforcement representatives, including those from the Airport Security Force;

and Civil Aviation Authority members.

The task of the committee is to formulate the SOP for foreign nationals and impose security responsibilities, said Lanjar, adding that more CCTV cameras should be installed around the airport and inside to ensure foolproof security.

He said a comprehensive SOP containing the responsibilities of each institution and officer should be prepared and sent for review. He ordered the committee to tighten the security of foreigners, making it extraordinary.

This is the second attack on Chinese nationals in Karachi in a month. On October 6 a terrorist attack had occurred near the Jinnah International Airport, where a convoy carrying Chinese staff of the Port Qasim Electric Power Company was targeted.

The incident had resulted in the deaths of two Chinese nationals and injuries to another, as well as several local casualties.

The Balochistan Liberation Army had been identified as being responsible for the attack. The law enforcement agencies are yet to make any significant progress in arresting those involved.

‘Mill’s responsibility’

DIG Raza said the foreigners were taken to the mill in the morning under the security of police and Rangers from Defence, but the responsibility of security inside the mill is the company’s.

The officer said the SOP related to the security of foreigners has been violated. He said the guard hails from Chaman, and is a resident of Bhawani Chali in Karachi.