PPP UC chairman killed as kids’ row escalates into adults’ gunfight

A union committee chairman belonging to the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) was killed late on Monday night after a row between children escalated into a gunfight between adults.

The incident occurred in the Gulistan-e-Jauhar neighbourhood’s Bhittaiabad area, where a dispute among children from two groups escalated, resulting in a gunfight that claimed the life of the UC chairman and injuries to six other people.

Police said that a fight broke out on Street No. 19 of Bhittaiabad between children from two tribes, leading to adults from both sides getting involved and opening fire on each other. As a result, one person was killed and six others were injured. The deceased was later identified as 30-year-old Sabir Magsi, a PPP member who had been serving as the UC-9 chairman.

The Karachi police spokesperson said that one person was killed and six others belonging to both tribes were wounded, adding that the injured were identified as Punal Khan, Munsif Sanjrani, Sajjad Sanjrani, Mairaj Sanjrani, Shoaib and Hussain.

Police arrived at the scene and took the casualties to the Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre, where the condition of one of the injured is reported to be critical.

UC-9 Councillor Shaukat Nazir told the media that Magsi was a father of two, and that he was associated with the property business. Nazir said he had been with the deceased shortly before the incident. “The fatal gunshot wound to his neck was inflicted during the children’s altercation.”

The councillor said that legal action would be taken after Magsi’s burial. Police said they have collected bullet casings and other evidence from the site of the incident.

According to police and the locals, an old issue existed between the children of both tribes and had previously been discussed at a tribal council, with the Sanjrani tribe being fined as a result.

However, the Magsi tribe later forgave the fine. But on Monday night, during children’s playtime, another clash broke out between the children of both tribes, prompting their adults to get involved as well. The UC chairman had come to resolve the matter when the firing occurred.

On Tuesday the CCTV camera footage of the incident that occurred in the jurisdiction of the Malir Cantt police station went viral on social media.

UC-9 Bakhtawar Goth Chairman Sabir Magsi, his associates and the rival group were involved in the altercation, as seen in the footage, which shows children fighting with each other and Magsi and the rival group engaging in a physical confrontation.

During the scuffle, small arms were used freely, followed by the emergence of a rifle. In the clash between the two groups, Magsi was killed and six others were injured.

The funeral prayers of the deceased were offered with a large number of family members, relatives and community members in attendance. Karachi Deputy Mayor Salman Abdullah Murad and senior police officers also attended the prayers, following which Magsi was laid to rest near his home.

Murad spoke to the media about the incident. “The incident involving the killing of UC Chairman Sabir Magsi is extremely regrettable. The representation of this area has been snatched away with the murder.”

The deputy mayor vowed that strict action would be taken after registering a case against the perpetrators. Police said they are investigating the matter. However, no case was registered until the filing of this news story.