Karachi: Zubair Baloch, the brother of jailed gangster and former chief of the now-defunct People’s Amn Committee, Uzair Baloch, was critically injured after masked gunmen opened fire outside his residence in Karachi’s Lyari area on Thursday.

The attack also injured two passersby and has reignited concerns over the possible return of gang-related violence in one of Karachi’s most notorious neighbourhoods.

Masked attackers opened fire outside residence

According to police, the incident occurred on Singu Lane in Lyari when Zubair Baloch was standing outside his house.

South Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Syed Asad Raza said unidentified assailants arrived on a motorcycle, opened fire and fled the scene immediately afterwards.

Zubair sustained multiple gunshot wounds to his chest and abdomen and underwent emergency surgery at Civil Hospital Karachi. One of the injured bystanders is also reported to be in critical condition.

Police have launched an investigation and are examining various angles, including personal rivalry and gang-related enmity. No group has claimed responsibility for the attack so far.

Focus returns to Lyari’s gang history

The shooting has once again drawn attention to Lyari’s violent past, which was once dominated by rival gangs involved in extortion, drug trafficking and organised crime.

Zubair Baloch was released from prison in January 2025 after spending 13 years in jail in connection with multiple criminal cases. Reports indicate that he had recently joined a political party and had begun political activities in the locality.

Local residents have reportedly expressed concern over rumours that several gang members who had fled to countries such as Dubai and Iran may have returned to Karachi following the ongoing crisis in West Asia.

Uzair Baloch remains in prison

The incident has also brought renewed attention to Uzair Baloch, one of Karachi’s most notorious former gang leaders.

Uzair faces multiple criminal cases, including murder, attacks on law enforcement personnel and possession of explosives. In 2020, a military court sentenced him to 12 years’ imprisonment after convicting him on espionage charges.

Authorities have not established any direct connection between Thursday’s attack and Uzair Baloch’s criminal cases. Police said the investigation remains ongoing.