TTP claims responsibility for killing of PML-N leader

Banned Pakistan Taliban today claimed responsibility for the killing of a former minister and ruling party member of Punjab Assembly who was shot dead along with his son and nephew in Punjab province.
Senior PML-N leader Rana Shamshad Ahmed was killed yesterday when two motorcyclists opened indiscriminate fire on his car near his house in Kamoki, some 60 kilometres from here.
The injured were taken to nearby hospital where the MPA, his son and nephew succumbed to their injures.
Taliban spokesman Mohammad Khorasani told DawnNews that the attack on the legislator was carried out by militants belonging to the Tahreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP).

Taliban's claim has raised serious questions over the claim of Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif that there are no militant groups in Punjab, a province of 90 million people.
"South Punjab is a 'safe heaven' for the members of banned organisations. The Punjab government should come out of denial mode and take action against the militants hiding in Punjab," former interior minister and Senator Rehman Malik said.
The TTP's claim that it has killed Rana is a concern as the group is not known to target the party leaders or legislators, a senior PML-N leader told PTI.
"In such a scenario the Shahbaz government will also have to change its strategy and launch operation against the militants in the province," he said.