Chinese citizens attacked in Karachi, one killed, two injured: police
KARACHI, Sep 28 (SABAH): A Chinese national was shot dead and two others were injured on Wednesday afternoon after an unidentified assailant opened fire inside a dental clinic in Karachi’s Saddar area, a police official said.
Speaking at the scene of the crime, SSP South Asad Raza told media persons that one person was killed and two people were injured who were shifted to a hospital for treatment. He confirmed that the three were Chinese people.
An unidentified person posing as a patient came to the private dental clinic of Dr Richard Hu near Preedy Street and sat in the waiting area for tooth treatment.
“After about 15 to 20 minutes, he entered the clinic area and opened fire on Dr Richard Hu, his wife Phen Teyin and Ronald Raymond Chou with a 9mm pistol,” he said.
“The assailant was wearing a red cap and was clad in dark blue trousers and shirt,” Raza elaborated, continuing that the suspect managed to escape from the crime scene with help of his accomplice who had parked his motorbike around the corner of Preedy Street towards M.A. Jinnah Road.
As a result of the firing, Dr Richard and Phen Teyin sustained bullet injuries, while Ronald, who was their employee, passed away on the spot.
“Reportedly, Dr Richard H is running a private clinic in this area of Karachi for more than 40 years and the three victims held dual nationality of China and Pakistan,” the official added.
According to media reports, “The CCTV of the clinic and nearby shops have been obtained and is being processed for identification of the assailant.”
Geo-fencing of the area was also undertaken to obtain important clues about the incident. The investigation of the incident will be carried out by the Counter-Terrorism Department.
“At this stage, the motive of the incident remains unclear whether the victims were targeted owing to personal reasons or it was a terrorist attack,” opined SSP Raza, adding that further investigation was underway.
Taking notice of the incident, Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah directed the chief secretary of Sindh to prepare a report on the firing and immediately arrest the perpetrators.
Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari also condemned the attack and expressed regret over the death.
He ordered that the investigation be completed immediately and the culprits brought to justice. “Such cowardly and intolerable attacks cannot create cracks in Pakistan-China friendship, which is higher than the Himalayas and deeper than the seas,” Bilawal said.
Earlier, Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah also took notice of the killing, according to a spokesperson.
The CM sought a detailed report from the Karachi Additional IGP. Shah also ordered the immediate arrest of the attackers and observed that such incidents were not tolerable, according to the official statement.