KARACHI, Nov 10: The funeral procession of a senior Imamia Students Organisation (ISO) advisory committee member and founder of a publishing house, who was the seventh victim belonging to a particular sect killed over the past few days, turned violent on Saturday near Rizvia Society when two vehicles were set on fire amid gunshots, officials said.

Funeral prayers for Syed Saeed Haider Zaidi, 52, were offered at Imambargah Shah-i-Karbala in Rizvia Society. A large number of area people, student activists and religious scholars attended the funeral prayers which were led by Maulana Shahid Raza.

“After the prayers, the funeral moved to the main road where the situation turned violent,” said area DSP Rustam Khattak. “After a few gunshots, a truck and a Suzuki pickup were set on fire near Sir Syed Girls College. Two fire tenders came to put out the fire, but the fire had already done the damage.” The situation led to suspension of traffic, while business activities also came to a halt.

Contingents of Rangers and police later dispersed the charged protesters.

“The fire damaged a truck (LSB-1504) and a Suzuki pickup (KB-8180),” said an official at the central fire office. “The fire also partially affected a water tanker but timely operation of the firefighters prevented it from complete damage.”