Leader of Pakistan’s anti-Shiite militant group killed by police

A Pakistan government official says police have killed the former head of an outlawed Sunni group along with 13 of his associates in a shootout.

Malik Ishaq was on a U.S. list of global terrorists and the group he founded has claimed responsibility for the deaths of hundreds of civilians, majority minority Shi’ite Muslims.

He has faced several murder trials but always been acquitted after witnesses refused to testify.

Besides this, an active member of banned outfit Ghulam Rasool Shah was also shot dead during the operation.

Ishaq, who had been detained last week, was in a prison convoy in Punjab province when supporters opened fire in an attempt to free him, said police.

Police said Malik Ishaq was arrested six days back for targeted killings of eight people.

Two other senior police officials confirmed the incident.

Six police personnel of the anti-terrorism force (ATC) were injured in the exchange of fire, but they are in a stable condition.

“The gang was also in league with the (Taliban) and al Qaeda groups operating in the area”.