SAHIWAL: Two men shot dead a leader of Ahle Sunnat Wal Jammat (ASWJ) here on Sunday night at village 86/9-L.

Reports said two men riding a motorcycle arrived at the gate of the Anwar-i-Madina Mosque during Isha prayers and asked about Maulana Bashir Ahmed.

According to eyewitness, two men wearing helmets waited for some time and moved towards the cleric when he came out of a house situated near the mosque. They sought identification from Maulana Bashir and opened fire.

The 45-year-old religious leader received three bullet injuries to his chest and succumbed to his wounds on the spot.

The assailants managed their escape by resorting to aerial firing.

Harappa police rushed to the spot and shifted the body to Sahiwal DHQ Hospital for autopsy.

ASWJ District Nazim Ijaz Qadri has refused to comment on the killing, saying it is not a sectarian case.

Published in Dawn, November 3rd, 2014