Despite massive crackdown on criminal elements by the law enforcement personnel, incidents of target killings are once again on the rise in the city with professionals including doctors, lawyers and teachers among the most likely targets.

On Thursday morning, University of Karachi professor Dr. Shakeel Auj was gunned down in the city.

Unknown gunmen riding on a motorbike opened fire on a car near Bait-ul-Mukarram Mosque in Gulshan-e-Iqbal area, killing Professor Shakeel Auj, who was also the dean of faculty of Islamic Studies.

He was travelling to attend an event at Khana-e-Farhan Iran along with two other professors when the incident took place.

The Islamic Studies professor was immediately shifted to a hospital where he succumbed to his injuries.

The deceased professor was also conferred Sitara-e-Imtiaz. Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has expressed deep sorrow and grief over his death and strongly condemned the incident.

On the other hand, two people were shot dead in Korangi and Lyari areas of the metropolis on Thursday morning.