Unidentified gunmen Saturday attacked Shiite Muslims at two different mosques in eastern Pakistan and killed a prayer leader and two more worshipers, police and witnesses said.
The attacks occurred at a time when Shiite Muslims have started holding religious gatherings across Pakistan during the Muslim holy month of Muharram.
Police said gunmen entered Shiite mosques at the two different places and sprayed bullets at the worshipers during morning prayers in Gujranwala, a main city nearly 60 km east of Lahore, the provincial capital of Punjab.
The attackers, riding motorcycles, fled after the incidents.
A police officer said that gunmen forced their way into a Shiite mosque and fired at prayer leader, killing him at the scene.
The gunmen attacked another mosque in the city and sprayed bullets at the Shiite Muslims during morning prayers and killed two of them.
Shiite mourners and residents protested against the terrorist attacks and demanded the authorities to ensure security for their gatherings in the coming days.
No group claimed responsibility. The authorities blame banned sectarian groups for the attacks. Enditem