A major breakthrough has been made in the murder case of senior lawyer Khawaja Shamsul Islam, who was shot dead during a funeral prayer in Karachi’s Defence Phase 6 area on Friday.

Fresh CCTV footage and a video confession by the alleged killer have brought new details to light.

According to police, Shamsul Islam was leaving the mosque in Khayaban-e-Rahat after offering funeral prayers when the attacker, who had been lying in wait, opened fire.

The senior lawyer died on the spot, while his son Daniyal and two others sustained injuries. The attacker fled through the mosque’s rear gate immediately after the shooting.

CCTV footage clearly shows the shooter firing at close range and escaping, with no one attempting to apprehend him.

Police said the gunman shouted, “I have avenged my father’s murder!” as he fled the scene. Authorities confirmed that efforts to identify the suspect were already underway.

While police were still tracking the suspect, a video confession by a man identifying himself as Imran Afridi surfaced online.

In the video, Afridi admits to the killing and alleges that Khawaja Shamsul Islam had abducted and murdered his father over a financial dispute involving Rs3.5 million.

Afridi further claimed that Shamsul Islam had also filed false cases against his brothers and dragged women from his family into legal trouble. He said that after being denied justice for years, he was left with no option but to take the law into his own hands.

He added that no friend or relative helped him in the attack and requested law enforcement agencies not to harass his family or acquaintances.

An FIR has been registered at Darakhshan Police Station on the complaint of the victim’s brother, Khawaja Faisal. The case, bearing number 593/2025, includes charges of murder, attempted murder, and sections under the Anti-Terrorism Act.

According to the FIR, the shooting occurred as Khawaja Shamsul Islam and his son descended the mosque stairs after the funeral prayer. The attacker fired two bullets, one hit Shamsul Islam and the other his son, before disappearing into the crowd.

DIG South revealed that this was not the first attack on the lawyer; he had previously survived an attempt on his life by the same individual a few months ago.

To investigate the high-profile killing, a six-member committee led by SSP Keamari has been formed. The committee was officially notified by DIG Asad Raza.

Meanwhile, the Karachi Bar Association held a protest on Saturday, observing a strike at City Court. Lawyers boycotted proceedings, and under-trial prisoners were not brought to court.

The Bar termed the incident not just an attack on a lawyer, but on the entire legal fraternity, demanding that the perpetrators be brought to justice.