| More Red-on-Red. |
The attack, which came a day after the murder of Shiite scholar Nazakat Ali Imrani, left the four dead and five injured, senior police officer Hamad Abid told AFP. Three of the dead, who belonged to the cityÂ’s influential Patiban clan, were close relatives, residents said. Imrani was shot dead by unknown assailants in suspected sectarian violence on Saturday. The second firing took place when people were returning from his burial in another graveyard, the officer said.
Abid said police chased and arrested two suspects who were seen fleeing after the attack. “A search is also underway to track down two other shooters who fled on a motorbike,” he added. Witnesses said police beefed up security at places of worship and troops were patrolling the city after Sunni protesters attacked shops and also shattered windows and damaged some equipment at a hospital overnight. The situation was slowly returning to “normal” and the minority Christian community celebrated Christmas with traditional fervour, an administration official said.