Shia leader, son killed in drive-by shooting in Rahim Yar Khan

Protesters turn violent, Rangers called to control situation.

BAHAWALPUR:

A Shia leader and his son were shot dead in a drive-by shooting in Rahim Yar Khan on Friday.

Police said Shia Council’s Divisional President Sheikh Manzoor Hussain and his son Haider Ali were getting in their car in Abbasia Town when six men riding two motorbikes shot them. They were injured in the firing and taken to Sheikh Zayed Hospital where they died.

As many as 300 protesters gathered outside the hospital and blocked the emergency ward of the hospital. They also forced the closure of several business centres.

District Police Officer Sohail Zafar Chattha arrived at the hospital with a heavy police contingent and tried to pacify the protesters. Eventually, the protesters agreed to let the bodies be taken from the hospital.

The bodies of the slain leader and his son were then taken to Langar Hussaini where as many as 200 people protested against the incident and failure of the police to protect the religious leader.

In response to the attack, the police have established check posts across the city.

Banks, petrol pumps and business centres were closed. Some of the protesters set fire to Ramazan Bazaar stalls near Melaad Chowk.

Talking to newsmen, Chattha said Rangers were called to control the volatile situation in the city. He said the city’s entry and exit points had been sealed. He said Rangers had managed to secure the situation.

He said had been no arrests but investigations were underway.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 3^rd, 2013.