In a tragic incident that has shocked the legal fraternity, senior lawyer Khawaja Shamsul Islam was shot dead during a funeral in the Defence Phase 6 area on Friday. His son was also injured in the attack.

According to DIG South Asad Raza, the attacker has been identified, and police believe the motive behind the shooting was personal enmity.

Khawaja Shamsul Islam had arrived at a mosque in DHA Phase 6 to attend a funeral prayer with his son when a gunman dressed in shalwar kameez entered the mosque and opened fire on them. The lawyer was struck in the chest while his son sustained a bullet injury to the abdomen.

Both victims were rushed to a nearby private hospital, where Khawaja Shamsul Islam succumbed to his injuries. His son remains under treatment.

According to eyewitnesses, the attacker waited outside the mosque and fled on a motorbike after the shooting, reportedly shouting, “I have avenged my father.”

Police have collected statements from witnesses at the scene and have launched a full-scale investigation. The suspect has been identified as Imran Khan, son of Nabi Gul, DIG South confirmed. He was seen wearing a waistcoat over traditional attire and had a mask on his face, as captured in CCTV footage obtained by Aaj News.

Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) officer Raja Umar Khattab told reporters that a post-mortem examination confirmed the lawyer died from a single bullet that pierced his heart. Authorities are working to trace the attacker’s escape route.

Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah expressed deep sorrow over the incident and ordered an immediate inquiry, promising that the culprit would be brought to justice. Meanwhile, the Sindh Bar Council has announced a strike for Friday in protest.

This is not the first time Khawaja Shamsul Islam has been targeted. He survived an assassination attempt in November 2024, suffering a gunshot wound to the hand. He had also been named in a police FIR following a confrontation in the Defence area, a video of which had gone viral on social media.

According to the police, known for his expertise in civil and criminal litigation, Khawaja Shamsul Islam was involved in numerous high-profile land dispute cases.