MIRPURKHAS: A shutdown was observed in Girhor Sharif town of Sindhri taluka on Tuesday in protest against an alleged targeted attack on the custodian of the Shaheed Abdul Raheem Girhori shrine late on Monday night.

Police was informed that the custodian, Syed Asif Ali Shah, who is also a leader of the Shia Ulema Council`s Sindhri taluka, was waylaid by some armed suspects while he was returning home from his farms in his car.

Mr Shah in his complaint alleged that the attack was carried out on a sectarian basis, claiming that activists of a banned outfit had been objecting to his religious activities for some time.

He said he escaped unhurt in the armed attack which caused damage to his car. He said he could not see the attackers, who fled taking advantage of darkness.

The incident sent a wave of anger among devotees of the shrine several hundred of whom took to the streets of Girhor Sharif demanding immediate arrests of the attackers.

Amid fear of violence and sectarian tension, traders and shopkeepers in all markets, bazaars, commercial areas and lanes pulled down the shutter.

The protesters held a demonstration near the shrine raising slogans against fanatics, as well as the against local administration for failing to rein in the unruly group.

Speaking to them, their leaders including Ourban Khaskhell, Abdul Sattar Shah and Zeeshan Ali owed to resist the banned outfit and urged the administration to ensure security of the shrine and safety of devotees and followers of various sects. They demanded immediate arrest of the attackers.

An FIR of the alleged attack was yet to be registered.