Posted by NEWS on 31/5/2004, 19:07:18 A senior pro-Taliban scholar, Mufti Nizamuddin Shamzai, was gunned down by unidentified attackers as he drove out of his residence near Jamia Islamia Binori Sunday morning in an assassination that prompted deadly demonstrations that followed. A renowned religious scholar, Mufti Nizamuddin Shamzai, who had called for a "Jihad," or holy war, against the United States after the invasions of Afghanistan and Iraq, was gunned down by some unidentified attackers as he drove out of his residence near Jamia Islamia Binori Sunday morning, according to police and eyewitnesses. Nizamuddin, 70, was rushed to hospital but died there, police said. Three people travelling with him, including his son, were injured. One of the assailants was also injured when a guard of the Mufti retaliated against them, police quoting eyewitnesses said. However, the attackers boarding two cars and a motorcycle fled without any trace. Mufti Nizamuddin was third head of the famous Madrassa Binori to become victim of the assassins bullets. Earlier, Mufti Habibullah was gunned down in 1998 and Allama Yusuf Ludhianvi in 2000. Police said as Mufti Shamzai drove out of his apartment at 7:45 am on Sunday, unknown gunmen opened indiscriminate fire at his vehicle. As a result, Mufti Shamzai, his son Saleemudin, 18, nephew Rafiuddin, 20, and driver Tayab were wounded. His gunman, who remained unhurt, retaliated the firing and injured one of the attackers, who was later taken away by his accomplices, police believed. The wounded driver drove the vehicle to the Liaquat National Hospital, where Mufti Shamzai shortly succumbed to injuries. He had sustained several bullets including three bullets in his head. The condition of his nephew is stated to be critical. The incident sparked violence in different areas of the city including Guru Mandir, Gulshan-i-Iqbal, Sohrab Goth, and Sher Shah. Reportedly, an exchange of firing between the LEAs and the protesters also took place. The mob torched and damaged a police station, vehicles, banks, restaurants, petrol pumps and other properties. On the news of his death, Muftis followers came out on roads and torched Jamshed Quarters Police Station, which is adjacent to the Madrassa. They also torched 14 vehicles parked there. Meantime, some suspects in the lock-up also escaped as the cops ran for their security. The mob torched two banks, damaged petrol pump, and conducted firing, forcing Rangers to flee, according to the eyewitnesses. The protesters entered the Bagh-i-Quaid-i-Azam, damaged snack bars inside, threw freezers and other stuff on road and set it ablaze. The mob also allegedly looted petrol pump and banks. Two policemen, Arif, 35, and Allah Yar, 35, a Rangers, Hashim, and two citizens, Noman and Shaheen, were wounded in the exchange of fire between the mob and the LEAs at Guru Mandir, according to police and eyewitnesses. Mufti Nizamuddin Siddiqui taught in the same seminary till 1988. Later, he was appointed at Jamia Uloomia Islamia Binori, where he taught till his death.
Pro-Taliban Scholar's Assassination Results In Deadly Demonstrations
Source: Agencies
Most troubled area was the Guru Mandir, where tension and unrest continued the whole day. Police and Rangers resorted to teargas shelling and firing at the Guru Mandir and the Sohrab Goth.
The Mufti was born in Swat in 1952. He came to Karachi in 1968 and got early Islamic teaching from Darul Khair Madrassa in Bakra Piri in 1970-72. Later, he got education in Jamia Farooqia in 1973-74 and was awarded degree of religious scholar.
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