KARACHI: Two young men were killed in separate incidents in Karachi within hours, highlighting renewed concerns over street crime and the unsafe movement of heavy vehicles through densely populated areas.
The first incident occurred near Liaquatabad No. 10, where a 28-year-old man identified as Shahzad was allegedly shot dead while resisting armed robbers attempting to steal his motorcycle.
According to eyewitnesses and sources familiar with the incident, the attackers opened fire after the victim refused to hand over his motorcycle keys. He suffered a gunshot wound to the head and died in the incident.
Police said the suspects fled after taking the motorcycle and the victim’s mobile phone. Investigators are reviewing CCTV footage from nearby shops and other possible sources of evidence in an effort to identify and arrest the attackers.
The killing has once again raised concerns among Karachi residents over street crime, particularly motorcycle and mobile-phone snatching incidents reported in different parts of the city.
Hours later, another fatal incident took place in Korangi, where an 18-year-old youth, identified as Hamza Farooq, was killed after being struck by a speeding dumper near Korangi Market No. 6.
Local sources said the heavy vehicle was travelling at high speed through the commercial area when it hit the young man. The incident sparked anger among residents, who blocked the road and set the dumper on fire in protest.
Residents demanded stricter restrictions on the movement of heavy vehicles through crowded markets, particularly during busy business hours. They also called for stronger enforcement against speeding and reckless driving, citing repeated accidents involving dumpers.
The two incidents on the same day renewed criticism of law enforcement and traffic management in Karachi. Residents and community representatives said the tragedies reflected two longstanding challenges facing the city: street crime and the unsafe movement of heavy transport vehicles through populated areas.
They called for stronger police patrols and targeted action against robbery gangs in areas including Liaquatabad, Nazimabad and surrounding neighbourhoods. They also demanded checkpoints, stricter speed monitoring and enforceable timing restrictions for heavy vehicles operating near markets and residential communities.
Police officials said cases related to both incidents have been registered and investigations are underway. CCTV footage is being examined in the Liaquatabad shooting, while the driver of the dumper involved in the Korangi crash had not been arrested at the time of reporting.
Authorities said operations against street criminals and speeding heavy vehicles are continuing, while acknowledging the challenges involved in monitoring heavy transport in busy commercial areas.
The deaths of the two young men have nevertheless intensified public concern over whether existing policing and traffic enforcement measures are sufficient to prevent similar tragedies in Karachi.
