Islamabad: A prominent pro-Taliban cleric, Mufti Jamil Khan, was killed today (Oct 9, 2004) along with his close associate in Karachi by unidentified gunmen, prompting Pakistan Government to sound a nationwide security alert to prevent any untoward incidents.

Khan, a prominent Sunni cleric heading religious organisation Aalmi Tahaffuz Khatm-e-Nubawwat, was ambushed and killed by two motorcycle-borne unidentified gunmen, Pakistan's Interior Minister, Aftab Sharpao told reporters in Islamabad.

The incident took place when Khan was coming out of his house at Jehangir road this evening.

Another leader of the group and Khan's close associate, Nazeer Ahmed Tunsvi, was also killed in the attack. They were heading to a nearby mosque for evening prayers.

Khan, who sustained five bullets around his abdomen, was declared brought dead at a hospital.

The assailants fled after the incident and no one has claimed responsibility.

The Minister said that all the exit routes have been cordoned off and the police are on alert to nab the culprits. He said the Government had provided guards to Khan, but he had not taken them with him when attacked.

Private television channel Geo reported that Khan, who had a close links with former Taliban regime in Afghanistan, was a member of a Pakistani delegation which visited Kandahar in 2001 to discuss Osama bin Laden issue.

The authorities tightened security in Karachi and other cities in the country following the incident to prevent any mass protests and untoward incidents.

Hundreds of people gathered outside the hospital and chanted slogans against the Government.

Amir Liaquat Hussain, State Minister for Religious Affairs, condemned the killings and described it as a "cruel act on the part of terrorists." He said the Government is after the terrorists and will not spare them.

A central Shia leader Allama Hasan Turabi condemned the murder and said "hidden hands are bent upon creating lawlessness in Pakistan."

Khan was the second prominent pro-Taliban Sunni cleric to be killed in Karachi recently. Mufti Samzai was killed in a similar ambush few months ago in the city.

The incident comes three days after a bomb blast on a Sunni religious gathering in Multan killed 40 people.

In another incident, around 30 people were killed in a suicide bomb attack inside a mosque in Sialkot a week ago.