ISLAMABAD, Pakistan - A Sunni Muslim clergyman and three others were killed on their way to Friday prayers by unknown gunmen in western Karachi, Pakistani police sources and eyewitness said.
Police said the killing appeared related to continuing sectarian violence between the Shiite and Sunni Muslim communities in Pakistan.
Maulana Saleem Qadri, a Sunni Muslim clergyman, his brother-in-law, nephew and a bodyguard died after being sprayed with bullets fired by two gunmen on a motorcycle in the Baldia Town area of Western Karachi, police said. The gunmen escaped.
Pakistan has a majority Sunni Muslim population, but 10-15% of its 130 million people belong to the Shiite sect.
AP-NY-05-18-01 0751EDT
Copyright 2001 The Kyodo News Service.