12 killed in Karachi sectarian violence

At least 12 people, including a leader of the Majlis-i-Wahdat-i-Muslimeen (MWM) and his security guard, were killed Tuesday in the latest wave of sectarian violence in Pakistan's port city of Karachi, a leading Pakistani daily reported.

Deputy Secretary General of MWM Allama Deedar Ali Jalbani and his guard were gunned down by unidentified gunmen near NED university in the eastern neighbourhood of Gulshan-e-Iqbal, The Dawn said in a report.

"Gunmen riding a motorbike opened fire on the vehicle of Allama Deedar Ali Jalbani, killing him and his guard," senior police officer Pir Muhammad Shah was quoted as saying.

He added that the latest attacks were part of targeted killings aimed at fuelling sectarian violence.

Later, three Sunni Muslim preachers were shot dead outside a mosque in the north Nazimabad area of Karachi.

In another apparent targeted attack, four people were killed by unidentified gunmen in the Sakhi Hassan neighbourhood of the city.

A Sunni Muslim scholar was gunned down in Karachi's central district Monday while he was visiting a doctor, who was also killed in the firing.

The MWM has announced three days of mourning and a peaceful day of nationwide protest Wednesday to condemn the assassination.

All educational institutions, including government universities and private schools associations, have announced that they would remain closed. However, Sindh Education Minister Nisar Khuhro said all education centers will operate as usual.

MWM leader Allama Raja Nasir Abbas Jafri has given the government a 24-hour ultimatum to arrest the assassins.