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Sh Rashid beats bullets
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AML Chief survives, four guards killed
RAWALPINDI: Unidentified gunmen sprayed bullets Monday on Awami Muslim League (AML) President, Sheikh Rashid and his party workers at the party's campaign office in Khayaban-e-Sir Syed killing at least four of his guards wounding 3 others including Sheikh Rashid.
Spokesman Lal Haveli also informed that during the firing incident Sheikh Rashid Ahmed was also present in the party's campaign office and media aired different news regarding his injures.
Sheikh Rashid, who is contesting the bye-polls at NA-55 scheduled to be held later this month, was present in the office in Khayaban-e-Sir Syed area in the downtown city when unknown armed men targeted him, said Lal Haveli spokesman.
The Rescue 1122 officials also confirmed that the AML Chief was present in the office when the attack occurred.
Hospital sources also disclosed that Sheikh Rashid has been wounded as a bullet hit his leg however he was out of danger. After the incident, police cordoned off the area and put the security on high alert in Rawalpindi and the law enforcement agencies also informed President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani regarding preliminary investigations over the firing incident. Meanwhile, Sheikh Rashid Shafiq, the nephew of former Information Minister, confirmed killing of four persons and injuring two others. Javed Qureshi, the Personal Assistant of Sheikh Rashid, said that Sheikh Rashid was hit on one of his feet, however, he was safe.
Sheikh Rashid was coming out of his office when he was attacked by unknown assailants carrying Kalashnikov(s), he said. However, the attack killed at least four guards of AML Chief. The Chief Minister Punjab Mian Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif took strict notice of the incident, and ordered RPO and Commissioner Rawalpindi to investigate into the incident and provide complete medical treatment to the injured people including Sheikh Rashid.
Immediately after the incident, high ups of the police and other authorities dashed towards the spot and cordoned the entire area.
Markets were shut in the area while hundreds of people gathered at the incident site - one of Rashid's strongholds in the city - when the news broke out. They chanted slogans against the provincial government and the candidates contesting election against him. The road was also blocked for all kinds of traffic while police tried to diffuse the tension and disperse the protesters. The government had earlier postponed bye-election fearing terrorist acts. Last month the Supreme Court had ordered holding of election.-Agencies
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