Democratic Murder: Sheikh Rashid survives armed attack, 4 killed

Local Tuesday, February 9th, 2010

Chief of Awami Muslim League Sheikh Rashid survived an armed attack at his election office here on Monday.

Sheikh Rashid received minor injuries on his leg when he fell on the ground at the time of the attack. However, four of his guards were killed in the attack.

Armed assailants attacked Sheikh Rashid outside his election office when he was heading on foot to attend a public meeting.

Javed Qureshi, the personal assistant of Sheikh Rashid confirmed the attack while talking to a private television news channel from 1122 ambulance in which Sheikh Rashid was being shifted to hospital.

Some of the bullets hit the Land Cruiser of Sheikh Rashid shattering its window panes. Later, workers of AML took to the streets to protest the attack.

An earlier report said; At least three persons were killed and four others got injured when the office of eminent politician Sheikh Rashid Ahmed was attacked by unknown gunmen on Monday, Rescue 1122 sources said.

Those injured also included Sheikh Rashid Ahmed, who is the chief of Awami Muslim League.

Reports says that the incident took place at Khayaban-e-Sir Syed election office of Sheikh Rashid Ahmed.

All the injured, including Sheikh Rashid Ahmed were shifted to the District Headquarters Hospital, the sources said. Sheikh Rashid suffered minor injuries and he did not suffer any bullet wound, they added.

Meanwhile, President Asif Ali Zardari has condemned the incident of firing on former minister and President Awami Muslim League Sheikh Rashid Ahmed at his election office in Rawalpindi on Monday.

The President has also sought report of the incident from the law enforcement agencies. The President has ordered inquiry into the attack and submission of its report immediately.

Punjab Chief Minister Mian Shahbaz Sharif has also ordered the commissioner and RPO to investigate into the incident.

The Punjab Government has constituted a joint investigation team to hold inquiry into the attack on Awami Muslim League leader Sheikh Rashid.

According to the statement issued by Punjab government, a joint investigation team comprising Punjab police, ISI and IB has been formed to probe firing on Rashid.

It said families of victims would be compensated while the injured would receive treatment at the government’s expense.

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