Karachi: The year 2011 kicked off with violence and bloodshed as around 73 people were killed in various incidents of target killings in January, said a report of the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) released on Tuesday.

The report stated that 158 people were killed in various incidents, of whom the majority became victim of target killings. As many as 44 apolitical people and 29 activists of various political parties were gunned down in target killings, it said.

Amongst the political workers targeted, the highest number belonged to the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM), which lost 14 activists. Five of the victims each belonged to the Awami National Party (ANP) and the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), four to the Mohajir Qaumi Movement-Haqiqi (MQM-H) and one to the Sunni Tehrik (ST).

The report further stated that out of the 158 people who were found dead or were killed, around 142 were men, nine women and seven children.

Sixteen people were killed over enmities. As many as 12 men were kidnapped and killed, while five were killed in police encounters. Five people were killed by robbers, one drug addict and a security guard were found dead, two men were killed by police, one man was burnt to death, and two men were killed while crossing the railway tracks.

According to the report, six policemen died in various incidents, five men were killed in the Lyari gang war, one fell victim to Karo-Kari, while 12 dead bodies were also found.

Also in January, three women were murdered, while two women were killed by their relatives. One female died while crossing the railway tracks, one woman was killed by robbers, while another was shot dead by police. One woman was declared a Kari and was killed. Meanwhile, seven children were killed in various incidents.
Source: The News
Date:2/2/2011