January 30: Sectarian Killing in Karachi
A day after the killing of Dr. Jaffar Mohsin, the young manager of a fast food outlet, Taseer Abbas, 25, was shot dead by assailants near his home in Ancholi, F. B Area Block 20. The victim was the younger brother of Raza Abbas, a prominent Nauhakhwan, and nephew of Nisar Abbas Zaidi, who heads the Anjuman Tanzeem-i-Husaini. Abbas was also a member of the Anjuman.
Abbas was heading to a bus stop to catch a company bus when two men riding by on a motorcycle opened fire on him. Police officials reported that Abbas had died from three bullet wounds in the face, chest and abdomen, which caused his instant death. The body was taken to Masjid-o-Imambargah Khairul Amal in Ancholi. Following the killing of Taseer Abbas, tension gripped the area of Block 20 (Ancholi) and shops and other commercial activities were closed. (Dawn)
February 3: Two Hindus injured in Umerkot, Hyderabad
Two members of the Hindu community, Rano and Mool Chan, were injured when men opened fire on them in a fight over the construction of a shop on the land of Aakharo Temple in Hyderabad.
The Temple is located in the middle of city and is believed to be a hundred years old. It is spread over three acres and has 50 shops around its boundary wall. One shop tenant has brothers Zulfiqar Punjabi and Hafeez Punjabi as tenants. According to a local notable from the Hindu community, Seth Jhaman, the Punjabis started construction without official permission. The construction work was initiated last week, but was stopped by the police after the lodging of a complaint. Notables from both sides mediated the conflict and contacted MNA Nawab Yousaf Talpur for help, but the brothers reportedly went back to the construction site and opened fire on local Hindus. The entire city shut down in protest and in fear of riots. (Express Tribune)
February 3: Girls school bombed in DI Khan
Militants bombed a girls school with about 10 kg of explosives in Dera Ismael Khan, destroying the building of the school. However, no human casualty was reported. Four rooms of the school were totally destroyed in the blast. (The Nation)
February 3: Blasphemy accused detained in Karachi
Yet another case of blasphemy was reported in Korangi Industrial Area police station, where a man was charged with using abusive language against the Khulfa-e-Rashideen.
Mujahid Ali was arrested while he was reportedly using abusive language and sending text messages to his colleagues’ cell phones against Islamic leaders, enraging other workers in the factory. The SHO said factory workers beat him up and attempted to kill him, but police rushed to the scene and took the accused into custody. A case (79/12) was registered against him under section 298-A and 28, under the Telegraph Act. (Daily Times)
February 6: Girls school bombed in Charsadda
Militants bombed a girls' school in Shabqadar tehsil of Charsadda district on Saturday night. Sources said that explosive devices of about six kilograms went off at about 2 am at the Government Girls Primary School at Ghalji Koroona. As a result, two rooms were destroyed while another room and verandah were partially damaged. About 245 girl students have been affected. Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan spokesman Mukarram Khurasani claimed responsibility for the explosion. (The News)