Pakistani court sentences 5 Islamists to death

Karachi, Apr 4: A Pakistani anti-terrorism court today sentenced five Islamist militants to death for attacking a police van carrying one of their comrades three years ago, a lawyer said.

Two people, including a policeman, were killed in the attack in the southern city of Karachi.

All five militants, members of the outlawed Lashkar-e-Jhangvi militant group, were also sentenced to 14 years in jail and fined, Public Prosecutor, Mazhar Qayyum said.

The convicts have the right to appeal.

Lashkar-e-Jhangvi, one of the most feared militant groups, has ties with the former Taliban regime in Afghanistan and al Qaeda militants.

Police also blame the group for most of the attacks on minority Shi'ite Muslims. It has also been implicated in several attacks on Western targets in Karachi.

REUTERS