Khawaja Izhar's attacker identified: sources

KARACHI: Law enforcement authorities have identified one of two attackers who carried out an assassination attempt on the life of Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P) leader Khawaja Izharul Hassan in Karachi's Buffer Zone area on Saturday morning.

Four assailants on two motorcycles had opened fire on the MQM-P leader as he exited the mosque after Namaz-e-Eid, police said. One of the assailants was killed in exchange of gunfire after police chased them, but the other managed to escape.

A child, as well as one of Hassan's security guards, succumbed to their wounds, Deputy Inspector General Police (DIGP)-West Zulfiqar Ali Larik said a few minutes after the attack.

Sources in the CTD told Geo News that the deceased assailant has been identified as Hassaan, an engineer and a resident of the Sohrab Goth area.

According to the sources, Hassaan's father, Dr Israr, is a lecturer at an educational institution.

Sources said Hassaan had recently gotten into a brawl with workers of a political party over a dispute involving extortion money.

After identification, CTD personnel raided the house of the alleged attacker in Sohrab Goth and arrested his family members, including his father.

Helmets, police uniforms

Four assailants on two motorcycles opened fire on the MQM-P leader as he exited the mosque after Namaz-e-Eid, Larik explained.

"They were wearing helmets and were garbed in police uniforms," Hassan stated, adding that the assailants opened fire right after they saw him exiting the prayer area.

The DIG went on to mention that police gave a chase to the assailants and an exchange of gunfire also took place, leading to the death of one of the attackers. A second assailant, however, managed to escape getting caught.

Officials also found 9mm bullet shells from the crime scene, Larik added.

Post-mortem

According to hospital sources, the attacker was shot dead by a lethal bullet to the head.

There were also torture wounds on the body of the attacker, they added.

Detailed post-mortem report will be made available in the next 48 hours.