Four members of the minority Shia Hazara community were shot and killed by unidentified gunmen in Quetta city of southwest Pakistan today.
The armed men fired at a vehicle at Masjid Road in Quetta, the capital of the restive Balochistan province, this evening. Four men in the car sustained serious injuries and died while being taken to a nearby hospital, said Deputy Inspector General of Police Fayyaz Sumbal.
The attackers escaped after the shooting, he told the media.
Police officials said all the victims belonged to the minority Shia Hazara community. The incident created panic in the area and all shops closed down.
A large number of police and paramilitary personnel cordoned off the area and launched a search operation. No group claimed responsibility for the attack.
Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif strongly condemned the tragic incident, said a statement issued by his office.
The banned Lashkar-e-Jhangvi has carried out a series of attacks on Shias in Quetta and surrounding areas. Over 250 Shia Hazaras have died in attacks this year.
