SHIKARPUR: A shutdown was observed in Khanpur town of Shikarpur district on Wednesday following the killing of a local leader of the Shia Ulema Action Committee allegedly on sectarian grounds.

Maulana Shafqat Abbas Mutaheri was shot dead by two armed men riding a motorcycle on Indus Highway near Khanpur. The victim was also riding a motorcycle and was on his way to the town when attacked, officials at the Khanpur police station said.

The attack triggered protest by SUAC activists and other residents of Khanpur.

Led by Dr Asghar, Syed Wajid Ali Shah and others, the protesters demanded immediate arrest of the killers.

SUAC activists said that Maulana Mutaheri left Shikarpur for Khanpur on his motorcycle on Wednesday and the armed men chased and targeted him on sectarian grounds on the outskirts of Khanpur. He died on the spot and the attackers drove away after committing the crime, they added.

The protesters held a demonstration in the middle of the Khanpur section of the Indus Highway disrupting intercity traffic for some time.

Published in Dawn, November 13th, 2014