KARACHI, Nov 27: Two scouts performing Muharram duty at the Numaish intersection on the city’s main M.A. Jinnah Road were killed and another injured in an attack on Sunday.

At least eight people, including a reporter of Waqt television, were injured and a car, a van and around two dozen motorcycles were set ablaze by a large number of enraged people who had gathered at the place after the attack.

According to police, the attack took place when participants of a rally held by the Ahle Sunnat Wal Jamaat (ASWJ), formerly Sipah-i-Sahaba Pakistan (now proscribed), at Regal Chowk had dispersed.

Sindh Home Minister Manzoor Wassan said at least 16 suspects had been detained along with arms from a mosque.

The scouts were on duty to guide Muharram mourners and regulating traffic at a time the central majlis was about to commence at the Nishtar Park.

Zain Ali Zaidi, 23, of Buturab Scouts and Azhar Husain, 53, of Pak Hyderi Scouts were killed and Ayaz Ali, also of Pak Hyderi Scouts, was injured.

Zain was a BCom student and the eldest among his brothers. His father works abroad. He had joined the scouts two years ago.

He was hit by a bullet in the head near the Hussaini Blood Bank.

Azhar was a schoolteacher and had joined the scouts 30 years ago. He is survived by his wife and two children. Other scouts who rushed towards him after he had been shot came under another attack that left Ayaz injured. The three were taken to the Civil Hospital where two were pronounced dead and the third was admitted.

Senator Faisal Raza Abdi told a TV channel that shots had been fired at his sabeel regularly set up at Numaish for many years.

The ASWJ held the rally in protest against killing of its workers in the city. The plan to hold the demonstration had been announced at a protest rally held last week after the killing of Qari Zafar in North Nazimabad.

On Sunday the group decided to also demonstrate solidarity with the army against the Nato attack on a checkpost in Mohmand Agency.