19 arrested under ATA for setting dumpers, tankers on fire

At least 19 individuals have been arrested under the Anti-Terrorism Act (ATA) following a series of ‘coordinated’ arson attacks on heavy vehicles in Karachi, police said on Thursday.

Five FIRs have been lodged in District Central where at least nine vehicles, including dumper and water tankers, were torched on the night between Wednesday and Thursday. Police suspected that the incident was pre-planned as the sudden setting ablaze of a large number of vehicles did not appear to have been a spontaneous public reaction. Authorities noted that no major accident, fatality or injury had occurred prior to the arson that might have triggered mob fury.

"It seems to be a pre-planned act," Zone West police chief DIG Irfan Baloch told The News. “There was no visible accident, no death or injury, yet nearly ten heavy vehicles, including dumpers and tankers, were set on fire within minutes.”

When asked about social media videos circulating online which allegedly showed a dumper hitting motorcycles while people screaming and trying to stop it, the DIG explained that preliminary police investigations indicated a different sequence of events.

“People apparently stopped a dumper driver, abused and confronted him. Then the dumper driver tried to escape and someone parked their motorcycle in front of the dumper to block him. In the process, he ran over the bike and fled. Motorcyclists then chased him and ultimately caught him in the Manghopir area, where local police also intervened,” said DIG Baloch. “The dumper driver was then assaulted in front of the police by the pursuing group.”

“So far, we have registered five FIRs under the ATA,” he stated while talking about the police actions. “Based on CCTV footage, video evidence, and other sources, 19 individuals have been arrested and more arrests are expected soon.”

Police continue to investigate the motive and background of the incident. The cases were registered at different police stations of District Central, including Sir Syed, Bilal Colony, New Karachi, and Khawaja Ajmer Nagri police stations.

Witness account:

Eyewitnesses say the chaos that erupted in North Karachi began when a high-speed dumper, allegedly driven by a teenage boy around 17 to 18 years old hit two motorcycles on the Nagan Chowrangi flyover. Although three motorcyclists sustained minor injuries, there were no fatalities.

However, the incident triggered public outrage. Enraged by the recklessness, an angry mob set fire to five dumpers at Powerhouse Chowrangi, three water tankers at 4K Chowrangi and one tanker in Surjani Town.

The situation escalated to the point that the crowd even pelted a fire brigade vehicle attempting to extinguish a fire with stones. In response, police in Zone West were put on high alert and managed to bring the situation under control.

While one side of the conflict saw public anger manifesting in the torching of heavy vehicles, dumper and tanker drivers also launched their own protest. Near Al-Asif Square Chowrangi, they overturned trucks loaded with debris and garbage onto the road, effectively blocking both lanes of the M-9 Motorway and causing severe traffic congestion.

Police later held negotiations with the protesters and arranged cranes to remove the debris, restoring the flow of traffic. Karachi’s roads are turning into death traps. In just the first 100 days of this year, 257 people including women and children lost their lives in traffic accidents while more than 3,450 people sustained injuries.

According to data compiled by newspapers, heavy vehicles such as dumpers, trucks, and water tankers were involved in 80 fatal accidents during this period alone, highlighting the severe threat posed by unregulated heavy traffic in residential and high-traffic areas.

‘11 vehicles torched’

Dumper trucks association leader Liaquat Mehsud claimed that 11 of their vehicles were set on fire during the unrest. Speaking to the media at Powerhouse Chowrangi, Mehsud demanded that those involved in the arson attacks be arrested.

“If someone was injured in the incident, then where is that person? Bring him forward,” he said, questioning the narrative surrounding the incident that blamed the public fury on a teenager dumper truck driver.

Mehsud urged the government to ensure protection for dumper owners and drivers, emphasising that such attacks caused significant financial losses and endanger livelihoods.

Lanjar’s condemnation

Sindh Home Minister Ziaul Hassan Lanjar expressed sorrow over the recent dumper-related accidents and the violence that ensued, issuing clear directives for the arrest of drivers involved in reckless driving as well as those responsible for setting the vehicles ablaze.

“No one is allowed to set dumpers or heavy vehicles on fire,” the minister stated, emphasising that strict action will be taken against those attempting to disturb peace or spread terror in the city.

He further stated that the police have been instructed to arrest everyone involved in torching vehicles during the violent protests. Regarding the Sohrab Goth protest, Lanjar said that he has given the necessary directives to the police to manage the situation effectively and maintain law and order. “No one is permitted to brandish weapons. Police have been given clear instructions in this regard,” the Sindh home minister added.

Governor’s visit

In a late-night visit to various parts of the city, Governor Sindh Kamran Khan Tessori reassured Karachi residents that the city had not been abandoned and that they should not live in fear.

"Karachi is not orphaned—my brothers and sisters should not be afraid," he said while speaking to the media. He noted that the situation was now control. Tessori emphasised that no one would be allowed to take the law into their own hands.