Senior journalist Athar Mateen shot dead in Karachi

KARACHI: A local journalist Athar Mateen was shot dead on Friday after unidentified armed men opened fire on a vehicle in Nazimabad.

According to details, armed motorcyclists opened fire at a car near Five Star Chowrangi in North Karachi, killing the driver on the spot. Police said the deceased has been identified as journalist Athar Mateen.

Police said that the attackers left behind their motorcycle and fled from the scene after snatching a motorcycle from a passerby. Police claimed to receive a report of a citizen being shot dead for resisting a mugging bid and arrived at the scene.

SP Gulberg Tahir Noorani said that initial reports suggest that the motorcyclists opened fire on a vehicle after a road rage incident. He said the suspect later fled the scene and more information was being gathered.

Local media reported that Mateen came across two men robbing a citizen at gunpoint when he left his house early morning. He rammed his car into the suspects’ motorcycle to prevent the mugging attempt. In retaliation, the men opened fire on the victim’s car and fled from the scene.

The deceased journalist was currently working at a local news channel in Karachi. The body has been shifted to Abbasi Shaheed Hospital (ASH) for medico-legal formalities. Mateen has left a widow and two daughters.

SSP Central Maroof Usman said Athar Mateen was shot three times and police has have recovered two empty casings of 30-bore pistol. He added as a team of crime scene unit has also been dispatched to the spot.

Police said Mateen tried to foil a mugging bid when the incident occurred. They said criminals were looting a citizen when Mateen hit them with his vehicle after which the suspects opened fire, killing him immediately.