MQM leader Rashid Godil critically injured in gun attack

Muttahida Qaumi Movement leader Rashid Godil was critically wounded after unidentified armed men opened fire at his vehicle near his residence in Karachi's Bahadurabad area on Tuesday.

Gulshan SP Abid Qaimkhani said that unidentified motorcycle- riding armed men intercepted Godil's vehicle and fired eight 9mm bullets after identifying the Muttahida leader. Godil was travelling with his driver and a family member when the attack took place. Hospital sources said that the MQM leader suffered five bullets wounds on his chest, head and arm. Details of the family member's condition are not known. Fear and panic gripped the city as markets and shops closed down their businesses in different areas after the attack.

The MQM leader was shifted to a nearby hospital where his condition was stated as critical owing to excessive loss of blood. He underwent surgery at a private hospital following which the MQM leader was put on the ventilator in the Intensive Care Unit of Liaqat National Hospital, according to hospital sources. Hospital sources said that Godil's driver, who was also injured in the incident, succumbed to his wounds during treatment.

MQM leader Syed Ali Raza Abdidi tweeted that Godil's condition was stable and wished a speedy recovery of the wounded leader. Addressing a press conference, MQM leader Farooq Sattar, who was flanked by Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman, condemned the 'cowardly terrorist attack' on Rashid Godil. He said that condemnations against the tragic incident had poured in from within the party and other political quarters.

Sattar said that the incident is being considered as an attempt to sabotage the peace of Karachi and hoped that those behind the attack would be arrested soon and made to face justice. Maulana Fazlur Rehman appreciated MQM's reaction to the incident and praised the party's attitude in the face of the tragic circumstances.

The attack took place while JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman was visiting the MQM headquarters, Nine Zero, to hold talks with a Muttahida delegation over the issue of MQM legislators' resignations. The talks, which were under way in a pleasant atmosphere, were abruptly suspended as the news of the attack on Godil reached the MQM headquarters.

A large number of MQM leaders, supporters and activists began gathering at the party's Nine Zero headquarters where they were holding prayers for the speedy recovery of the wounded party leader. Police have formed a joint investigation team (JIT) under the supervision of DIG East Munir Shaikh to probe the incident. SSP East Javed Jiskani, SSP East Investigation Zulfiqar Meher and SSP SIU Farooq Awan will be the members of that team.

A press release issued by Rangers also condemned the attack on MQM leader Rashid Godil and wished for his speedy recovery. The statement added that probe into various aspects of the incident was under way and those responsible for the attack would be brought to justice soon.

The Rangers press release also appealed to citizens to provide any information regarding the attack on the Rangers 1101 helpline. Rashid Godil had served as MQM's deputy parliamentary leader in the National Assembly until MQM lawmakers' recent submission of resignations from parliaments. He was elected as a Member of National Assembly from Karachi's NA252 constituency during the 2013 general elections.