Uzair Baloch Brother Critically Injured in Targeted Shooting in Karachi's Lyari

Karachi, Pakistan: Zubair Baloch, the brother of jailed Pakistani gangster Uzair Baloch, was critically injured after unidentified gunmen opened fire on him outside his residence in Karachi's Lyari area on Thursday evening. The attack also left two passersby wounded, prompting police to launch an investigation into the motive behind the shooting.

According to police, the incident occurred on Main Chakiwara Road in Lyari's Singu Lane locality. Officials said masked assailants arrived on a motorcycle and fired multiple rounds at Zubair Baloch before fleeing the scene. He sustained several bullet wounds, including injuries to his chest and abdomen, and was rushed to Civil Hospital Karachi, where he underwent emergency surgery. Doctors described his condition as critical. The two civilians caught in the gunfire were also admitted to the hospital. One of them is reported to be in serious condition.

Senior police officials said investigators are examining CCTV footage, collecting forensic evidence, and questioning witnesses. Authorities have not ruled out any angle and are probing whether the attack was linked to gang rivalry, personal enmity, or other criminal motives. No arrests have been made so far, and the attackers remain unidentified.

Zubair Baloch has previously faced multiple criminal cases and was arrested in 2012 before being released in early 2025. His elder brother, Uzair Baloch, is a notorious figure in Pakistan's underworld and formerly headed the now-defunct People's Aman Committee, a group that once wielded significant influence in Karachi's Lyari district.

The latest shooting has renewed concerns over the possibility of lingering gang rivalries resurfacing in Lyari, an area that witnessed years of violent turf wars before large-scale security operations reduced organized crime. While incidents of major gang violence have declined over the past decade, security experts say attacks involving individuals linked to former criminal networks continue to raise fears of retaliatory violence. Police have appealed to the public for any information that could help identify the attackers. Officials said further details would be released as the investigation progresses and Zubair Baloch's medical condition becomes clearer.