Karachi: Targeted killings continued to take several lives in the city as five people were gunned down Tuesday. The toll for the past 24 hours has reached 17, police and rescue workers said.

In the New Karachi district unknown gunmen riding on motorcycle shot at a person sitting outside his home. The man who was identified as Ashraf died on the spot. Likewise a man named Aaqib was killed in Jamshed town. The police said he was an activist of a political party.

In the Lines Area, unknown attackers fired at and injured two persons who could not sustain to their injuries and died later on at the hospital. In Korangi area one was killed by unknown killers. The victim was identified as Zulfiqar.

On Monday, at least 12 people were killed in different parts of the city despite the police and paramilitary rangers raids to arrest the killers.

An office of Awami National Party (ANP) was also attacked by unknown motorcycle riders in Keamri areas in the Western district of the city. Police said that at least six people were injured because of splinters of broken glasses from the gunshots.

Chaos also gripped the city court area where lawyers and judges were under threat because of a disturbing letter. Police said that the Karachi Bar Association got a letter in which life threats were given to lawyers and judges. The letter also threatened to blow the court with explosive material.

Police beefed up the security around the court premises and vacated the surroundings roads from all the parked vehicles.

Investigation was on to trace the sender of the letter but it was believed that the threats could be from the Islamic militants or the Taliban, who have recently warned the Pakistani government of dire consequences after the news of its operation in North Waziristan were heard.