Doctor accused of blasphemy killed in police encounter in Sindh

A doctor, who was accused of committing blasphemy, was killed in a police encounter in Umerkot district of Sindh on Thursday, the law enforcers said.

According to Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Mirpur Khas, Captain (Rtd) Asad Ali Chaudhry, the incident occurred when two armed men on a motorcycle started firing on a police party during a routine patrol.

Dr Shahnawaz Kambhar, the prime suspect in the blasphemy case, was identified after being taken to the hospital.

Another man was injured in the encounter, but details about his identity remain unknown.

The blasphemy allegations stemmed from Dr Shahnawaz's alleged social media posts, which sparked protests in Umerkot city.

A shutterdown strike was held in Umerkot on Wednesday to demand the arrest of the accused.

Demonstrators set fire to a police mobile and vandalised the doctor's clinic.

Local police registered a case against Shahnawaz under Section 295(C) of the Pakistan Penal Code (PPC).

The matter of blasphemy remains highly sensitive in Pakistan, with some cases leading to violence and mob justice.

Section 295 (C) of PPC specifically addresses offenses related to disrespecting the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).

Earlier on Sep 12, an elderly man, who was accused of disrespecting Holy Prophet (PBUH), was killed by a cop inside police station in Quetta.