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Senior religious leader killed in Karachi

Police fired teargas as hundreds of supporters of Sunni Tehrek leader Moulana Salim Qadri took to the streets and set afire several police and private vehicles after the news spread that Qadri was killed by six gunmen while on his way to a mosque to offer Friday prayers.

Qadri was in his car along with five associates when six gunmen on three motorcycles fired at them in Baldia town in western Karachi, the police said.

Qadri and three others died on the spot, while two succumbed to injuries in hospital, they said, adding that no one has claimed responsibility for the attack.

Moulana Qadri's killing was believed to be an act of revenge for the assassination of rival Sunni sect leader, Moulana Ludhianvi, who was killed in Karachi on the same day last year.

Ludhianvi belonged to the Deobandi sect, opposed to the Sunni Tehrik.

The incident has sent shock-waves around Karachi and many other Pakistani towns.

In recent years, Karachi has witnessed a number of sectarian clashes between rival Sunni sects and between the majority Sunni and minority Shia sects.

The spate of sectarian killings made the government contemplate banning sectarian parties and groups in the country.

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