Prominent cleric killed by gunmen on motorcycles

Karachi: Unknown gunmen yesterday shot and killed an Islamic scholar along with a colleague in what police called a "target killing" that has sparked tension in different parts of the city.

Police said Maulana Aslam Shaikhupuri, a prominent cleric, was travelling with his escorts when four men on two motorcycles peppered his car with bullets in Dhora Ji near Rangoonwala Hall.

The suspects immediately fled.

All four passengers of the car, including Shaikupuri, were rushed to the state-run Jinnah Hospital emergency centre.

The cleric, who was also a principal in a religious seminary, and his colleague, Mohammad Safreen, later succumbed to their gunshot wounds.

Critical

Shaikhupuri's two security escorts remain in critical condition, Simin Jamali, director of Jinnah Hospital, told Gulf News.

Police said it is still too early to determine the motive behind the killing as they are still investigating the case.

Analysts believe the killing could be sectarian.

Altaf Hussain, leader of the Muttahida Qaumi Movement, condemned the killing and said it was an attempt to create sectarian polarisation in the country.

Call for restraint

"The leaders and scholars of all the sects must observe restraint and advise their followers to hold the sectarian brotherhood firmly," Hussain said.

Sectarian killings have been rampant in Pakistan, especially in Karachi, as the banned militant groups of Sunni and Shiite sects target each other's scholars, doctors, and lawyers in tit-for-tat shootings.