By DPA,
Islamabad : Four Shia Muslims were gunned down in a suspected sectarian attack in Pakistan’s North-West Frontier Province Monday, the police said.
The victims, all belonging to the same family, were traveling in a motor rickshaw when the assailants intercepted them on the outskirts of Dera Ismail Khan town, area police chief Salahuddin Khan Kundi said.
A policeman was also shot dead when he challenged the attackers as they fled the scene, according to Kundi.
Dera Ismail Khan, located some 300 km south of provincial capital Peshawar, is prone to violence between majority Sunni and minority Shia Muslims. Scores of people have been killed in sectarian attacks including suicide bombings.
Kundi said police were placed on alert to avert any backlash from the rival sect.