Six people, including a policeman, were killed and one injured in an act of sectarian violence on Quetta’s Sirki Road on Sunday.The banned Lashkar-e-Jhangvi has claimed responsibility for the killing.
Per reports, three armed men riding two motorcycles sprayed a volley of bullets at a shop belonging to the members of the Shia community. As a result, four people of a family, including the owner of the shop and his son, were killed on the spot. A passerby also came under fire and died later. The attackers also opened fire on two policemen who tried to give a chase.
Both policemen sustained injuries and were being shifted to Civil Hospital Quetta when one of them succumbed to his injuries.
A heavy contingent of police and Frontier Corps rushed to the site after the incident and cordoned off the area.The assailants targeted killed four Shia community members who were having lunch, Police official Mohammad Ayaz said one of the attackers had got injured in police firing, however, all of the assailants managed to flee.
Another police officer Mohammad Jahangir said the incident was an act of sectarian targeted killing, adding that security had been beefed up and raids were being conducted to arrest the accused. He said that private hospitals and clinics were also being checked so that the injured attacker, who might seek treatment, could be arrested. The deceased were identified as Haji Abdul Nabi, his son Muhammad Hassan, Muhammad Tariq, Abdul Manan, Naqeebullah and police constable Hayatullah.Hundreds of people belonging to the Hazara community rushed to the hospital as the news broke out.They condemned the systematic targeted killing of Shias, particularly those of the Hazara community.
Meanwhile, spokesman for banned Lashker-e-Jhangvi Abu Baker called newspaper offices and claimed responsibility for the killing.
Four Shias, cop among six gunned down in Quetta
