Prominent Shia Muslim Shot Dead in Pakistan
A prominent Shia Muslim figure has been assassinated in an attack by armed men in Pakistan’s eastern province of Punjab.
According to local sources, Malik Mukhtar Hussain, the main organizer of Shia religious activities in city of Chiniot, was killed by six gunmen on Monday.
Two teenagers were also wounded in the attack that targeted a procession held to commemorate the 40th day after the martyrdom anniversary of Imam Hussein (PBUH).
“Hussain had received several bullets including one in the head,” said one of the witnesses.
No group or individual has claimed responsibility for the assassination.
However, members of the Shia community of Chiniot have identified one of the attackers as a former leader of the Sipah-e-Sahaba Pakistan group.
The group has conducted numerous terrorist attacks against Shia Muslims over the past two decades.
On December 30, 2012, a bomb ripped through a convoy of three buses carrying Shia pilgrims in Mastung district, some 30 kilometers (18 miles) south of Quetta in Balochistan Province. Nearly 20 people were killed. The victims were on their way to Iran.
UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon condemned the December bombing and expressed concern over the escalating violence in Pakistan.
“The secretary general is appalled by the escalating terrorist violence in Pakistan. He condemns in particular the continued violent targeting of religious minorities,” said a statement issued by Ban’s spokesperson on December 30.
Pro-Taliban militant groups have been involved in a violent campaign against Shia Muslims in Pakistan over the past years. Hundreds of Shias were killed in the country in 2012.
Pakistani Shia leaders have called on the government to form a judicial commission to investigate the bloodshed.
According to Human Rights Watch, the Pakistani government has failed to stop violence against Shias, who account for around 20 percent of the population of about 170 million.
Source: Press TV
Two teenagers were also wounded in the attack that targeted a procession held to commemorate the 40th day after the martyrdom anniversary of Imam Hussein (PBUH).
“Hussain had received several bullets including one in the head,” said one of the witnesses.
No group or individual has claimed responsibility for the assassination.
However, members of the Shia community of Chiniot have identified one of the attackers as a former leader of the Sipah-e-Sahaba Pakistan group.
The group has conducted numerous terrorist attacks against Shia Muslims over the past two decades.
On December 30, 2012, a bomb ripped through a convoy of three buses carrying Shia pilgrims in Mastung district, some 30 kilometers (18 miles) south of Quetta in Balochistan Province. Nearly 20 people were killed. The victims were on their way to Iran.
UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon condemned the December bombing and expressed concern over the escalating violence in Pakistan.
“The secretary general is appalled by the escalating terrorist violence in Pakistan. He condemns in particular the continued violent targeting of religious minorities,” said a statement issued by Ban’s spokesperson on December 30.
Pro-Taliban militant groups have been involved in a violent campaign against Shia Muslims in Pakistan over the past years. Hundreds of Shias were killed in the country in 2012.
Pakistani Shia leaders have called on the government to form a judicial commission to investigate the bloodshed.
According to Human Rights Watch, the Pakistani government has failed to stop violence against Shias, who account for around 20 percent of the population of about 170 million.
Source: Press TV
