Pro-Taliban cleric is shot dead in Karachi
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.A senior pro-Taliban cleric was shot dead in Karachi yesterday, provoking riots across the city by thousands of Sunni supporters who ransacked a police station, shops and banks.
Police and protesters exchanged gunfire which injured at least three policemen and four protesters. Crowds shouted slogans against rival Shias, raising fears of sectarian unrest.
The violence started after unidentified gunmen in two cars and a motorcycle attacked Mufti Nizamuddin Shamzai, a fervent critic of the US-led wars in Afghanistan and Iraq. He was travelling in a pick-up truck to his Islamic seminary in the east of the city. A bodyguard returned fire, wounding one of the six attackers, police said. One of Mr Shamzai's sons, a nephew, his driver and a bodyguard were injured, but none seriously.
Mr Shamzai, who was in his seventies, died of gunshot wounds in hospital. Hewas a strong supporter of Afghan-istan's former Taliban regime and headed the Jamia Islamia Binor Town school where thousandsreceive Islamic education. In late 2001, he headed a failed last-ditch effort to save the Taliban from being attacked by the US for hosting al-Qa'ida.
Last week, two car bombs exploded near the US Consul's Karachi residence and on 7 May a suicide bomb at a Shia mosque in the city killed 22 people. Much of the recent violence is blamed on Islamist militants.
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments