RAWALPINDI: Local leader of Jamaat-i-Islami (JI) and former union council nazim of Dhoke Khabba was shot dead by two motorcyclists at the bustling Glass Factory Chowk on Monday.

SHO Waris Khan Inspector Malik Allahyar told Dawn that the incident was the outcome of a rivalry as the victim’s nephew was involved in a murder case which was still under trial. “The attackers had covered their faces with masks,” he said.

Mohammad Tahir Khan, in charge labour wing of Jamaat-i-Islami and former president Shabab-i-Milli, was on his way to attend a funeral prayer when two motorcycle riders, who the police said were chasing his car, blocked his way and opened fire on him. The JI leader was shifted to Benazir Bhutto Hospital where he was pronounced dead.

As the news of the JI leader’s killing spread in the city, a large number of his supporters gathered in the hospital and protested against the killing.

JI spokesman Malik Azam told Dawn: “The JI strongly condemns the killing of its leader and demands of the chief minister Punjab to direct the police to arrest the killers and bring them to justice.”

“Punjab police are busy performing protocol duties instead of doing their prime duty of policing,” he said.

Published in Dawn, October 21st , 2014