Key suspect confesses to killing senior lawyer to avenge father’s murder

The key suspect behind the targeted killing of senior Supreme Court lawyer Khawaja Shamsul Islam has confessed to his murder.

In a video statement, the suspect, identified as Imran Afridi, admitted to shooting and killing the lawyer inside a mosque in Karachi’s upscale Defence Housing Authority (DHA) Phase 6.

“My father was murdered by Khawaja Shamsul Islam. I took revenge,” Afridi said in the video, as quoted by a TV channel.

“This extreme step was taken out of despair over the justice system. My father, a police constable, was abducted, tortured, and killed over a financial dispute of Rs3.5 million. He and Shamsul Islam were once friends," the suspect added.

"No one from my family or friends was involved in this murder as I acted alone. They should not be harassed.”

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The incident took place on Friday at the Quran Academy mosque after Shamsul Islam and his sons had offered Friday and funeral prayers of a businessman. As they came down the stairs and stopped to wear their shoes, a man entered the mosque and opened fire. The attacker then fled the scene on a motorcycle, according to police.

Shamsul Islam, 55, was critically injured and taken to South City Hospital by his son Hamza, but succumbed to his wounds during treatment.

Eyewitnesses said the assailant was wearing traditional shalwar kameez and had covered his face with a mask.

Police said the suspect has been identified as Imran Afridi, son of Nabi Gul — a former police head constable who once served as Shamsul Islam’s personal gunman. In 2021, Nabi Gul was found murdered and his body dumped near Thatta. Afridi and his family had long accused Shamsul Islam of being involved in the killing.