Banned Pak group’s leader killed; supporters launch protests

The leader of a banned Islamic extremist group in Pakistan has been killed along with one of his guards by unidentified gunmen, triggering protests by his supporters across the provinces of Sindh and Punjab on Monday.

The leader of a banned Islamic extremist group in Pakistan has been killed along with one of his guards by unidentified gunmen, triggering protests by his supporters across the provinces of Sindh and Punjab on Monday.

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Allama Ali Sher Hyderi, chief of the outlawed Sipah-e-Sahaba Pakistan, and his guard died when his car was ambushed by the gunmen late last night near Khairpur in Sindh province. Six persons were also injured in the attack.

Hyderi’s guards returned fire and killed one of the attackers. Police said they suspected a personal grudge was the motive for the killing.

The situation in Hyderi’s hometown of Khairpur turned tense after the killings. His supporters organised protests on Monday in cities across Sindh and Punjab. They burnt tyres and fired in the air.

Police arrested over 40 people in different parts of Sindh for trying to forcibly close shops and commercial establishment during the protests.