QUETTA, Aug 16: Three people of the Hazara Shia community were killed in the city’s Arbab Karam Khan Road area on Thursday.

Police sources told Dawn that the three were going to Hazara Town in a motor-rickshaw when gunmen on a motorbike opened fire on them and escaped.

The three suffered multiple bullet injuries and were taken to the Bolan Medical College hospital where they were pronounced dead.

Two of the deceased were identified as Ghulam Hussain and Khadim Hussain. The identity of the third one could not be ascertained. Police said the three were labourers who were going to their homes to break the fast. Police termed the incident an act of sectarian target killing.

A little known organisation, Jaish-i-Islam, claimed responsibility for the killing.

A spokesman for the organisation, identifying himself as Ghazi Haq Nawaz, told reporters on phone that their men had carried out the attack. — Staff Correspondent