Elderly online rider shot dead during robbery attempt in Karachi

A 55-year-old online bike rider was shot dead by armed assailants at Karachi’s Nagan Chowrangi on Thursday, while a 17-year-old passerby sustained injuries during the exchange of gunfire.

Eyewitnesses claimed that the incident occurred during a snatching attempt, whereas police officials suggested it appeared to be a case of targeted killing.

The deceased was identified as Muhammad Ismail, son of Muhammad Isa, and the injured youth as Sohail, son of Abul Rashid.

According to witnesses, four armed men riding two motorcycles opened fire on Ismail, hitting him twice in the abdomen. He died on the spot. The motive behind the shooting remains unclear.

Ismail’s family resides on Faiza Avenue, Nagan Chowrangi. He is survived by his wife, two daughters, and a son named Haris.

Speaking to the media, Haris shared that his father previously ran a shoe shop but had to close it after suffering financial losses, eventually turning to online bike riding to support his family. He added that police informed him his father was struck by stray bullets fired by unidentified gunmen in the area.

Meanwhile, two men present at the scene claimed the suspects had tried to snatch Ismail’s phone. When he resisted and retrieved it, the culprits opened fire before fleeing the scene.

Residents said incidents of mobile snatching have become alarmingly frequent in the area. Police have not yet clarified on what grounds they are treating the case as targeted killing.