KARACHI: Five people were killed late on Thursday after unidentified men opened fire at a restaurant in F. B. Area neighbourhood of Karachi, DawnNews reported.

According to initial reports, unidentified men riding on motorcycles opened fire at a local restaurant in F.B Area block 22, injuring five people. All of them later succumbed to their injuries during medical treatment at a nearby hospital.

Three of the dead-- Qari Rafique, Khuda-i-Noor, his brother Jibrael-- are reported as activists of a religious party. Restaurant owner Amir and a passerby Sajid also became victims of the act.

The incident spread fear among the local residents while shops and small businesses were reported to be shut.

Police and law enforcement agencies have cordoned off the area and initiated an investigation into the incident.

Meanwhile, three others lost their lives and several were injured in different areas of the metropolis earlier on Thursday, whereas Rangers and police have been conducting various raids arresting eights suspects.