Editor’s note: We are posting here an excerpt from the Pakistan Observer (See : http://pakobserver.net/detailnews.asp?id=236795). We appreciate the clear distinction made by the author between Sunni and Deobandi. When citizens are clearly targeted as a result of hate mongering, it is vitally important to correctly identify their religious identities. More importantly, it is mportant to distinguish the wide majority (80%) of Sunni Muslims (Sunni Barelvis/Sufis) from a tiny minority (10-15%) of Deobandis.

While the objective of the article is not to assign blame, it should be mentioned that only Deobandis (under Saudi Salafi/Wahabi influence and palm-greasing) have have a visible hate speech narrative against the Sunni Brelvi (who are shunned as Mushrik and Biddati) and Shia (who are shunned as Kafir and Majoos).  Deobandi leaders like Ahmed Lidhanvi and Aurangzeb Farooqi come to the podium and raise hate slogans against Sunni Brelvis and Shia Muslims, while the rank and file of their hardcore followers are Deobandi Taliban who have participated in Jihadi organizations. Some of them are protected strategic assets of a pro-Saudi section of Pakistani establishment. In short, they are war-hardened mercenaries or under training in a Madrassas to reach that mantle.

A strong case can be made that the all of the Sunni Brelvis, Shia and even anti-Taliban Deobandis killed in Karachi are most likely killed by takfiri Deobandi Taliban and Sipah-e-Sahaba ASWJ. The reason is very simple: these are the only people capable of doing this type of violence. They are, after all, trained killers and assets of the Pakistani establishment. They kill Sunni Brelvi and Shia Muslims to satisfy their religious blood lust and religious obligation. Some Deobandis are also killed on intra Deobandi feud and turf war.

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Pakistan Observer’s article

As per reports, the law enforcement agencies have launched a targeted operation on directives of Prime Minister Nawaz Shariff in Karachi to bring down politically-motivated violence. However, the law enforcers after launching targeted operation brought politically-motivated targeted killing under control but they are facing a new challenge which is rise in sectarian killings in this highly volatile city.

The statistics available with Pakistan Observer revealed that 11 people including five shia, three sunni and three others belonging to Deoband school of thought were killed in the month of January. 17 people including seven shia, 10 sunni, five Deobandi and one member of Barohi community were killed on basis of sect. In March four people including three shia and one Hindu became victims of armed men.

In April four shia, in May one shia, in June three including two shia and one Ahmadi, in August 10 people including three shia, two each ismaili and Ahmadi, one sunni and two activists of Tableegi Jamaat, in September 11 people including nine shia and two members of Bohra community, in October four people including two shia, one each sunni and Ahmadi and in November 24 people including 16 shia, eight sunni, one each deoband and Ahmadi and in December 22 people were targeted and killed on basis sect in the metropolis.

In 2014, 29 people fell victim of sectarian killing in first two months. In first month of current year, 15 people were become sectarian violence. In February, 14 people were targeted and killed on account of their sects in violence-hit metropolitan city. “Yes there are some bordering areas in the west zone where militants involved in sectarian killings have their hideouts and we have arrested many of them after conducting raids,” Deputy Inspector General (DIG) West Javed Alam Odho said.

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