Pakistani people have staged massive street protests against the killing of Shia Muslims in the southwestern province of Balochistan, Press TV reports.
On Monday, gunmen riding a motorbike opened fire on a shoe store killing six Shia Muslims and injuring three others in the Hazara region of the provincial capital of Quetta.
Hundreds of people took to the streets across the province on Tuesday, shouting against the government for allowing the attackers to escape with impunity.
They also held the local administration responsible for backing the culprits who are engaged in killing Shias in the region.
Meanwhile, shops, markets and other educational institutions were closed in response to a call for a general strike in Balochistan over the killings.
Balochistan Chief Minister Nawab Aslam Raisani sacked six police officials for dereliction of duty and 17suspects were arrested in connection with the incident.
No group or individual has claimed responsibility for the Monday's attack in the region rife with attacks by extremist groups against Shias.
Shia Muslims have experienced a hike in attacks by pro-Taliban militant groups in various parts of Pakistan over the past years. Local sources say more than 2,000 Shia Muslims have been killed in the northwestern Kurram region close to the Afghan border since 2007.
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