KARACHI: Another religious leader has been gunned down in Karachi, marking second targeted killing in two days. Ahle Sunnat Wal Jamaat’s Maulana Salim Khatri was shot dead in New Karachi.

58-year-old was sitting at pan shop near his house when four armed suspects on two motorcycles shot and killed him near Bilal Colony Police Station in area’s Sector 5-E.

According to acting Superintendent of Police for New Karachi Kunwar Asif they received information about incident at 2:55pm and Khatri was pronounced dead at Abbasi Shaheed Hospital where he was taken after shooting.

Victim was shot five times, with seven shells of 9mm pistols found at crime scene. Police was getting CCTV footage from area to identify attackers.

News of Khatri’s death drew number of ASWJ leaders and workers to hospital. They blamed ‘anti-state elements’ for attack and accused administrators of failing to ensure law and order in city. Party’s General Secretary Taj Muhammad Hanfi said that funeral prayer would be held at 10pm.

In response to killing, protesters blocked highway near Edhi Morgue on Sohrab Goth where Khatri’s body was shifted. Demonstration disrupted traffic and ended only after police assured them that those responsible for attack would be brought to justice.

Published in The Daily National Courier, March, 23 2023

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