[Pak Daily Times] At least three people were killed early on Saturday when gunnies opened fire on two Imambargahs...since they're religiously correct™, Shia Moslems in Pakistain can't call their houses of worship 'mosques,' which are reserved for Sunnis. It's not clear if imambargahs are used for explosives storage like mosques are...
in Gujranwala, sparking protests from mourners and enraged members of the Shia community.
According to police reports, the first incident took place close to dawn when unidentified gunnies opened fire as Muhammad Yousuf, the prayer leader of the Qasr-e-Abu Talib Imambargah in Mominpura area, had just finished leading Fajr prayers. Yousuf and another person present at the mosque was struck down in his prime.
A short while later, gunnies entered the Qasr-e-Zainabiya Imambargah in Shahrukh Colony located a short distance from the first mosque and opened indiscriminate firing, killing worshiper Syed Javed on the spot.
According to initial investigation reports by police, the attackers had come on cycle of violences and managed to escape. A witness told a local TV channel that the gunnies used a silencer-fitted pistol.
A police officer said the attacks appeared to be sectarian in nature.
Gujranwala RPO Syed Akhtar Bharwana said police could not rule out involvement of the same group in both incidents. Police and other law enforcement agencies reached the spots, cordoned off the entire area and started a search operation.
Soon after the incidents, mourners and relatives carried the bodies of the dear departed to the main Alam Chowk bypass on GT Road and blocked the road in protest. The enraged protesters also burnt tyres and rolled their eyes, jumped up and down, and hollered poorly rhymed slogans real loud against the government. Shops, markets and other business activities were closed after the protests.
President Mamnoon Hussain and Prime Minister
Nawaz Sharif... served two non-consecutive terms as prime minister, heads the Pakistain Moslem League (Nawaz). Noted for his spectacular corruption, the 1998 Pak nuclear test, border war with India, and for being tossed by General Musharraf...
have condemned the firing incidents.
Sympathising with the bereaved families, the prime minister in a statement prayed to God to grant the departed souls eternal peace and give courage to their families to bear the irreparable loss with fortitude.
The prime minister also assured the victim families that the culprits would be incarcerated
Drop the rosco, Muggsy, or you're one with the ages!
and brought to justice.
Meanwhile,
...back at the palazzo, Count Guido stepped from behind the suit of armor, rapier in hand. Ciccolini snarled and reached for his own weapon...
Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif has ordered an inquiry into the incidents of firing, said Punjab Environment Minister Col (r) Shuja Khanzada. He said that those involved in the incidents would be punished.
The minister added that that the chief minister, Punjab cabinet and all parliamentarians strongly condemned this incident and equally share the grief of Shias. Addressing a meeting at Commissioner's Office in Gujranwala, Shuja Khanzada said that police and law enforcement agencies have been further activated and on the orders of chief minister, security of mosques, Imambargahs and worship places of non-Mohammedans has been intensified throughout the province.
He said that after the tragic incidents of Gujranwala, reservations have increased and a comprehensive strategy has been evolved to overcome it.
"Enemy wants to create anarchy and chaos in our country," he said and stressed the need for unity at every level for foiling nefarious designs of outlaws.
The minister also appealed to people to remain peaceful and promote unity in their ranks.
"We are all Paks and we will have to sacrifice our personal interests over collective interests by promoting religious harmony for the solidarity of the country."