Dr Shakil Afridi's advocate shot dead near Peshawar

TTP's Jamatul Ahrar claims responsibility for killing Afridi

Dr Shakil Afridi’s lawyer Samiullah Afridi was shot dead near Peshawar on Tuesday.

Police officials confirmed that Samiullah was shot dead at on Warsak Road. The official added unidentified assailants fired at Samiullah’s car injuring him. The lawyer later succumbed to his injuries at the hospital.

Samiullah had fled to Dubai in December 2013 after receiving threats from militants but was visiting the country.

Read: Samiullah Afridi flees to Dubai after receiving threats

Shakeel Afridi was jailed for 33 years in May 2012 after he was convicted of ties to militants, though some US lawmakers said the case was revenge for Afridi helping in the search for the al Qaeda chief.

Afridi was convicted under Pakistan’s tribal justice system and last year a tribunal cut 10 years off his sentence.

Read: Fresh legal turmoil for Dr Shakil Afridi

But his efforts to clear his name on appeal have been hit by long delays and adjournments and suffered another blow earlier this month as the tribunal hearing his appeal was dissolved.

Samiullah was on the panel of lawyers who defended Dr Shakil Afridi in his cases before the political administration of Khyber Agency and FCR Tribunal.

TTP splinter group claims responsibility for attack

Taliban splinter group Jamatul Ahrar claimed responsibility for the killing of Dr Shakil Afridi’s lawyer Samiullah Afridi.

"We claim responsibility for the killing of Shakil Afridi's defence lawyer," spokesman for TTP JA, Ehsanullah Ehsan, told The Express Tribune by phone late on Tuesday.

"Others who linked themselves to Afridi's case should expect such action," Ehsan warned.

He rejected the earlier reported claim of the attack by banned group, Jundullah.