JUI-F secretary general Sindh shot dead in Sukkur

Offering his morning prayers in a mosque in Sukkur, unidentified men opened fire at Soomro

SUKKUR: Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam Fazl (JUI-F) Secretary General Sindh, Khalid Mehmood Soomro was shot dead in a targeted attack on Saturday morning, Express News reported.

Dr Soomro was offering his morning prayers in a madrassa in Gulshan Iqbal Society in Sukkur when unidentified gunmen entered the mosque and shot him dead.

"Two armed men entered in the mosque and fired 11 shots, four bullets hit Khalid Soomro and he died on spot," Tanveer Hussain, a senior police officer told AFP.

Police have since prepared a report which revealed that the assailants who arrived in three cars and entered from the back gate.

It is not yet known whether he had been receiving threats or if he had any enmity with any persons, however, witnesses at the scene have been questioned and police have recorded their statements.

No group has claimed responsibility for the attack but JUI-F has previously been targeted by the Pakistani Taliban, even though the party leaders have acted as negotiators between the militants and the government on several occasions.

Soomro was immediately taken to the hospital but reportedly passed away before his arrival. No other persons were attacked or harmed.

His body was taken to Larkana for burial this evening.

Khalid Soomro was an influential member of the party, especially in the Sukkur and Larkana areas. He had served as a member of Pakistan's senate (upper house) from 2006 to 2012.

Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif took notice of the attack and expressed his sorrows. A strike will be held in various parts of Sindh to mourn the death.

Several areas have also been put on high alert and security checks are being carried out.

JUI-F leaders have often been subjected to brutal attacks, especially in the past few years.

Much recently, JUI-F Chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman narrowly escaped a suicide attack in which he was targeted. He managed to remain unhurt.

He also survived a suicide attack in October after addressing a rally in Quetta in which at least 11 people were killed and 30 wounded.

Responding to the attack, JUI-F Chief  Maulana Fazlur Rehman in a press conference in Islamabad announced a nationwide protest on November 30.

"A protest is our right. If people can hold rallies then protesting for a murder is our right and we will have it tomorrow," said the chief.

He condemned the attack and said that the killers should be handed over to them as the state does not do enough for the protection of its people.

"Tell me is there any law in Pakistan?" he questioned.

The chief will be travelling to Sukkur tomorrow.