The city on Tuesday remained engulfed in the spree of targeted killing as two activists of banned outfit Sipah Sahaba Pakistan (SSP) were gunned down in the limits of Shamim Shaheed police check post. According to police, the incident took place near rickshaw stand located in Nazimabad No 2 where the attackers came in a white hi-roof sprayed two friends namely Shabbir, 35 son of Wakeel and Ateeq, 40, son of Hanif, who were travelling on a bike with bullets.
Resultantly, both victims received fatal bullet wounds and died on spot. Meanwhile, the culprits after committing the crime managed to flee in leaps and bounds. On being informed, police rushed to the spot and shifted the bodies to Abbasi Shaheed Hospital (ASH) for medico legal formalities.
Following the incident, scores of Ahle Sunnat Wal Jamaat (ASWJ) formerly known as SSP activists gathered at the hospital and expressed resentment over the killings. SHO Rao Ehsan said the culprits used 9 MM pistols in the killings and added that both victims were the active members of ASWJ.
He said that both victims were the residents of Firdous Colony Gulbahar area while the deceased Shabbir used to run a sweet shop and Ateeq was AC technician by his profession. Later police handed over their bodies to the heirs. ASWJ spokesman Maulana Taj Hanfi confirmed the affiliations of both victims and condemned their killings.
He said that at least 15 activists of ASWJ were martyred during last 45 days and the government has so far appeared toothless to nab the culprits. Later, the funeral prayers of both victims were jointly offered at Khajji Ground Nazimabad and the slain Shabbir and Ateeq were buried in Paposh Nagar and Nazimabad graveyards, respectively. No case was registered till filing of this report.