KARACHI, Jan 13: A motorbike dealer was shot dead and his associate wounded in what appeared to be an act of targeted killing in a New Karachi locality, police said on Friday.

They said that the attack took place late on Thursday night near UP Mor within the remit of the New Karachi police station.

Assailants riding a motorcycle intercepted a car near UP Mor in North Karachi's Sector 11 and opened indiscriminate fire, the police said, adding that 50-year-old Syed Mushtaq Hussain Zaidi, who was driving back home in Federal B Area along with friend Kamran Karim, sustained multiple bullet wounds and died on the spot.

The assailants managed to escape.

They said that Mr Karim also sustained bullet wounds and was rushed to the Abbasi Shaheed Hospital, where he was admitted for treatment.

A duty officer at the New Karachi police station said that victim Zaidi was a resident of Federal B Area's Block 12 and owned a motorbike showroom in North Karachi. He was father of two.

He said that both friends were said to be sympathisers of the Muttahida Qaumi Movement.

Initial investigations suggested that the killing might have a sectarian motive. However, police said they were investigating the case without ignoring the possibility of a personal or business enmity.

Later, the funeral prayer for the victim was offered at the Shuhdah-i-Karbala Imambargah in Ancholi.

Enraged people staged a protest demonstration against the killing and blocked main roads.

All major markets were shut due to the uncertain condition obtaining in the neighbourhood. The victim was laid to rest in the Wadi-eHussain graveyard.

Till late in the night, no case was registered at the New Karachi police station regarding the targeted attack.