A refugee cleric from Afghanistan was shot dead by four unidentified gunmen in Yeola town of Maharashtra’s Nashik district late last evening, police said on Wednesday.
Investigations reveal that at least four unidentified persons shot at his head and neck, leading to his instant death.
He was attacked at around 7.15 p.m. in an open deserted plot near an industrial zone, a spot around 200 km from Mumbai.
The deceased has been identified as Khwaja Sayyed Chishti, 35, a refugee from Afghanistan, popular locally as ‘Sufibaba’ and used to preach in several religious gatherings and mausoleums.
After committing the crime, the four assailants fled with an SUV parked nearby, reportedly owned by the Chishti.
The police have formed a special team to probe the incident which has sent shockwaves in the local Muslim communities.
