5 Killed in Takfiri Attack on Shias in Pakistan
Unidentified gunmen opened fire at a vehicle carrying Shia Muslims and others nearby this morning.
At least five people are confirmed to have died in the attack.
The gunmen escaped unhurt after carrying out the attack, which appears to be an act of targeted killing, police officials added.
No one has claimed responsibility for the deadly shooting yet, but the Lashkar-e-Jhangvi and Daesh (ISIL or ISIS) terrorist groups have been behind such attacks in the past.
Data from the South Asia Terrorism Portal shows more than 2,600 Shia Muslims have been killed in militant attacks since 2002 across Pakistan. Shia advocacy groups, however, say the figures could be much higher.
Shias make up about one third of Pakistan's population of nearly 200 million.
Critics blame the Pakistani government and some elements within intelligence services for unwillingness to protect Shia Muslims and moderate Sunnis across the violence-wracked country.
International organizations and rights groups have urged the Pakistani government to take decisive action against the forces involved in the targeted killings.
Security has been a main issue for the Shias as thousands of them have been killed as a result of militancy and hate attacks over the past decade.
