Arson attack on stationery shop in Karachi's New Urdu Bazaar caught on CCTV

KARACHI: Unknown suspects set a stationery shop on fire in New Urdu Bazaar in the Nazimabad area of Karachi in what appeared to be an attempt to torch the entire market, it emerged on Sunday.

The incident, captured on CCTV cameras, has since gone viral on social media. The footage showed the arsonists arriving at the books market in a car and on a motorcycle. One of the suspects took out a bottle and sprinkled what appeared to be petrol at a shuttered books and stationery shop before igniting it with a matchstick.

A blurry screen grab from the footage showed the flickering matchstick flying into the air after being lit and thrown at the shop by the arsonist.

Police visit spot, meet complainant

Central SSP Dr Mohammed Imran Khan visited the spot and met the complainant shopkeeper on Sunday. Speaking to media, the senior police officer said the suspects set the book shop, located at a corner of the market, on fire. However, the fire was put out in a timely manner, preventing further damage.

According to the SSP, the complainant told police that he did not have any enmity with anyone, raising questions about the possible motive behind the brazen attack.

Viral footage sparks concern

The CCTV footage of the arson attack has drawn widespread attention on social media, with the shocking nature of the incident raising concerns about security in one of Karachi's well-known commercial areas. The suspects were seen arriving at the location, carrying out the attack with apparent premeditation, and leaving the scene.

The stationery market in Nazimabad's New Urdu Bazaar is a prominent commercial hub known for its books and stationery shops. The fact that the arsonists targeted a shuttered shop — arriving equipped with what appeared to be an accelerant and a matchstick — pointed to a deliberate and planned act.

Police are investigating the matter, with the CCTV footage expected to serve as crucial evidence in identifying the suspects involved in the attack. The suspects arrived both in a vehicle and on a motorcycle, as seen in the footage, and carried out the arson before fleeing the scene.

The timely extinguishing of the fire prevented what could have been a far more devastating incident, given the location of the targeted shop at the corner of the market, which could have allowed the flames to spread to adjoining establishments.