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Imambargah attacks leave three dead, spark outrage

10 November, 2013

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GUJRANWALA: At least three people were killed early on Saturday when gunmen opened fire on two Imambargahs in Gujranwala, sparking protests from mourners and enraged members of the Shia community.

According to police reports, the first incident took place close to dawn when unidentified gunmen opened fire as Muhammad Yousuf, the prayer leader of the Qasr-i-Abu Talib Imambargah in Mominpura area, had just finished leading Fajr prayers. Yousuf and another person present at the mosque died on the spot.

A short while later, gunmen entered the Qasr-i-Zainabiya Imambargah in Shahrukh Colony located a short distance from the first mosque and opened indiscriminate firing, killing worshiper Syed Javed on the spot.

According to initial investigation reports by police, the attackers had come on motorcycles and managed to escape. A witness told a local TV channel that the gunmen used a silencer-fitted pistol.

A police officer said the attacks appeared to be sectarian in nature.

Gujranwala RPO Syed Akhtar Bharwana said police could not rule out involvement of the same group in both incidents. Police and other law enforcement agencies reached the spots, cordoned off the entire area and started a search operation.

Soon after the incidents, mourners and relatives carried the bodies of the deceased to the main Alam Chowk bypass on GT Road and blocked the road in protest. The enraged protesters also burnt tyres and chanted slogans against the government. Shops, markets and other business activities were closed after the protests.

President Mamnoon Hussain and Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif have condemned the firing incidents.

Sympathising with the bereaved families, the prime minister in a statement prayed to God to grant the departed souls eternal peace and give courage to their families to bear the irreparable loss with fortitude.

The prime minister also assured the victim families that the culprits would be arrested and brought to justice.

Meanwhile, Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif has ordered an inquiry into the incidents of firing, said Punjab Environment Minister Col (r) Shuja Khanzada. He said that those involved in the incidents would be punished.

The minister added that that the chief minister, Punjab cabinet and all parliamentarians strongly condemned this incident and equally share the grief of Shias.

Addressing a meeting at Commissioner's Office in Gujranwala, Shuja Khanzada said that police and law enforcement agencies have been further activated and on the orders of chief minister, security of mosques, Imambargahs and worship places of non-Muslims has been intensified throughout the province.

He said that after the tragic incidents of Gujranwala, reservations have increased and a comprehensive strategy has been evolved to overcome it.

"Enemy wants to create anarchy and chaos in our country," he said and stressed the need for unity at every level for foiling nefarious designs of outlaws.

The minister also appealed to people to remain peaceful and promote unity in their ranks.

"We are all Pakistanis and we will have to sacrifice our personal interests over collective interests by promoting religious harmony for the solidarity of the country."

End.

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