At least three persons including a prayer leader were shot dead in two separate firing incidents on Imambargahs here in Gujranwala on Saturday morning.
According to details, some unidentified armed men entered in Imambargah Qasr-e- Abu Talib located in Mominpura area and opened fire at people during Fajar prayers, killing two persons including prayer leader named Yousuf. The other deceased was identified as Amanat Ali.
At the same time another Imambargah Qasr-e- Zanibia in Shahrukh Colony area near to first incident was targeted where unidentified gun men opened fire inside the Imamgargah, killing ‘moazan’ Syed Javed.  The assailants managed to flee from the scene after the incidents.     
Police and others law enforcement agencies reached the spots, cordoned off the entire area and started search operation for hunting the culprits.
Following the incidents, the residents of the areas and large number of Shias staged protests and blocked GT Road at Alam Chowk with dead bodies.
The enraged protesters also burnt tyres and chanted slogans against the government. Local shops, markets and other business activities were closed after the protests.
Prime Minister Muhmmad Nawaz Sharif has strongly condemned the firing incident targeting Imambargahs which resulted into the loss of precious human lives.
Sympathizing deeply with the bereaved families, the Prime Minister prayed to Allah Almighty to bless the departed souls with eternal peace and grant courage to their families to bear the irreparable loss with fortitude.
The Prime Minister assured that the culprits would be arrested and brought to justice.