Gunmen kill four Shias in Quetta
16 July, 2013
QUETTA: As many as four Hazaras were gunned down and two passers-by seriously wounded in a targeted killing incident in Quetta on Monday night.
Hazara Democratic Party (HDP) gave a strike call for today (Tuesday) following the incident, while the Balochistan Shia Conference has announced one-day mourning against the killing of Hazara people.
According to police, the tragic incident occurred a few minutes before Iftar at Masjid Road, near Kaghan Hotel of the city centre, when the owner of a trading centre, Raza Hussain, along with his three companions was targeted by armed men riding a motorbike with sophisticated weapons. Hussain and his three companions were killed instantly while two passers-by sustained serious bullet wounds.
"The deceased were on their way home in a vehicle when they were targeted by armed assailants who were already behind them," police officials said, adding that although the investigation is underway it appeared to be a case of targeted killing. Police and other law enforcement agencies rushed to the site shortly after the incident and deceased and injured were shifted to nearby Civil Hospital Quetta.
All shops and markets were closed following the attack and the people rushed home.
The HDP has strongly condemned the killing of Hazara people and announced a shutter-down call for today (Tuesday) to protest against the incident, while the Balochistan Shia Conference, Majlis Wadatul Muslimeen and other Shia organisations have announced one- ay mourning against the murder of members of the Shia community.
Balochistan Chief Minister Dr Abdul Malik Baloch has strongly condemned the killings and directed the authorities concerned to arrest the perpetrators.
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