Targeted attack: Seminary student shot dead, protesters block Rashid Minhas Road

Protesters pelt stones at passing vehicles, fire in air.

KARACHI:

A student of a seminary in Gulshan-e-Iqbal was shot dead and another student was injured in a targeted attack on Tuesday morning.

According to Gulshan SP Iqbal Tanweer Hussain Tunio, the two students - Muhammad Ahsan, son of Muhammad Umer, and Saad - were on their way home after attending classes at the Ahsanul Uloom seminary on Abul Hasan Isphahani Road. "When they reached the Moti Mahal stop, two motorcyclists wearing surgical masks on their faces opened fire at their Alto car," he said. The two men sustained bullet injuries and were shifted to a nearby private hospital, where 25-year-old Ahsan died and 24-year-old Saad is still under treatment. The doctors said his condition was critical.

"It seems the two students were killed due to their sects," claimed SP Tunio. "However, we will find out the actual causes after conducting thorough investigations."

Law enforcement agencies rushed to the crime scene soon after the shooting and recovered several empty shells of 9mm pistols. The police also cordoned off the entire vicinity to avoid another untoward incident.

However, a large number of seminary students took to the streets as the news of the shooting spread and blocked main Rashid Minhas Road for several hours. All shops and other businesses also remained shut in the morning.

The protesters, who took to the streets, shouted slogans against the law enforcement agencies for failing to maintain their writ. During the protest, unidentified armed men also pelted stones at the vehicles passing by. Reports of aerial firing also came from the same neighbourhood.

Police officials reached the protest site and negotiated with the protesters. They assured them that the culprits will be arrested, after which the protesters dispersed.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 2^nd, 2014.