Karachi: In a fresh wave of violence in this largest city of Pakistan, at least three lawyers were gunned down yesterday while riding in a car and a fourth seriously wounded.
The incident took place when Badar Munir Kafeel Jaffery, Shakeel Jaffery, and Babar Jaffery left the City Court and reached Pakistan Chowk, a congested and bustling downtown area, where two gunmen on a motor cycle allegedly opened fire on their car and fled, the police said.
"They belonged to a specific sect and it seems to be a target killing," said Naeem Shaikh, a senior police officer. "However, we will take all aspects into consideration in investigations."
The surviving lawyer, Babar Ali Jaffery, sustained two bullet wounds and was said to be critical.
"His situation is very critical and the doctors are trying their best," said Aftab Saddal, medical officer at the state-run Civil Hospital, where the bodies were also brought.
Activists killed
On Friday, two unknown gunmen shot dead two activists of Ahle Sunnat wal Jamat. Four gunmen riding on two motor cycles opened fire on Mohammad Ali and Mohammad Adnan, said to be activists of the group. Ali died on the spot whereas Adnan succumbed to his injuries later in the hospital.
Restive Lyari town area of Karachi city saw street protests after the two men were killed and another man was killed during the agitation.
Earlier this month, Maqbool-ur-Rehman, a lawyer defending the two activists in court, was gunned down by some unknown men. The police believed that was also a sectarian killing.
After yesterday's murders, lawyers came out of their chambers and rallied outside the court to condemn the killing.
The president of Karachi Bar Association, Mahmoud Al Hasan, condemned the incident saying it was tragic that three lawyers died.
"It is certainly very unfortunate that three of our brothers were killed in broad day light and it seems to be a targeted killing," he said.