MQM MPA attack: Suspect beaten by witnesses before being killed, CCTV footage reveals

KARACHI: One of the suspects who allegedly shot at Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) leader Khawaja Izharul Hassan on Saturday was assaulted by witnesses before being killed by the police, CCTV footage has revealed.

Geo News reported on Sunday that the initial post-mortem of the victim, Hassaan, reveals that he bore torture marks on his body and was shot in the head. Police had claimed to have killed him in a shootout following a chase after the incident.

Four assailants on two motorcycles opened fire on Hassan, the opposition leader in the Sindh Assembly, as he exited a mosque in the city’s Buffer Zone area after Eid prayers, police said.

One of the assailants was killed in an exchange of fire but the other managed to escape.

Talking to Geo News on Sunday, Sindh Inspector General AD Khawaja said there has been substantial progress in the investigation, explaining that one of the suspects has been identified. 

He added that the incident was an attempt to incite feud in the metropolis. 

"There were reports of threats after the recent political divide in Karachi and the MQM-P was informed of this," he said in response to a question. 

We will keep the media informed of the developments but I request the media to restrain from speculation as to who could be behind the attack, he implored. 

Later in the day, an FIR of the incident was registered at the CTD. Officials said the case, which included sections of murder and anti-terrorism act, was registered on the complaint of the Taimuria station house officer. 

A child and one of Hassan's security guard — a police constable — were killed as the attacker opened fire on Hassan while several others were injured, Deputy Inspector General Police West Zulfiqar Ali Larik had said after the attack.

Sources said the Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) identified the alleged attacker as Hassaan, an engineer, and resident of Sohrab Goth. According to the sources, Hassaan's father, Dr Israr, is a lecturer at an educational institute.

Sources had added that 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.

Hassan, a senior member of MQM-Pakistan, had said the attackers were wearing helmets and donned police uniforms.

The police had claimed they chased the assailants after the suspects made a run for it following the incident, and an exchange of fire took place, leading to the death of one of the attackers. A second assailant, however, managed to escape.

Officials had recovered 9mm bullet casings from the crime scene, Larik informed further.

A detailed post-mortem report of the suspect will be made available in the next 24 hours.

In August last year, the MQM parted ways with its London-based founder after he made several controversial remarks against state institutions. Following the split, there has been a bitter war of words between the MQM's London and Pakistan factions.