Saudi diplomat shot dead in Pakistan

2011-05-16 21:04:03 GMT+7 (ICT)

KARACHI, PAKISTAN (BNO NEWS) -- A diplomat of the Saudi Consulate in Karachi, Pakistan on Monday was shot dead by unidentified gunmen, officials said.

A group of gunmen riding motorcycles ambushed Saudi diplomat Hassan-al-Kahatani while riding his vehicle on Khayaban-e-Shahbaz road in the Clifton's Darkhshan police limits of Karachi, an official of the Consulate told the Associated Press of Pakistan.

According to Darkhshan police, al-Kahatani, who worked in the Consulate's security department, received a bullet to his head and died on the spot.

Pakistan's President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani strongly condemned the killing of the Saudi diplomat in Karachi, as the President ordered the Sindh government to launch an immediate investigation in order to capture the culprits.

Last Wednesday, unidentified motorcyclists threw two hand grenades at the Consulate office of Saudi Arabia. No casualties were reported, but three people were injured during the attack.

The U.S. Embassy in Pakistan strongly condemned the killing, offering condolences to the family and friends of the murdered diplomat, as well as to the entire Saudi Arabian Mission to Pakistan.

"Terrorists have shown time after time that they will attack anyone, regardless of religion, nationality, or ethnicity," the Embassy said. "The United States will continue to support the people of Pakistan as they strive to secure a future of peace and opportunity that is free from fear, violence, and intimidation."

-- © BNO News All rights reserved 2011-05-16

Pakistani gunmen on the back of motorcycles? Shooting a foreign diplomat who worked for his consulate's security department?

Why does this sound so familiar?