Man killed in divine taxi drama
2005-12-15 19:59
Islamabad - Followers of a London cabbie posing as a "divine messenger" in Pakistan hijacked a bus on Thursday after running gun-battles with police which left at least one dead.
Police chief Mohammad Amin was forced to pledge allegiance to British-based Shahbaz Ahmed, 40, who styles himself as messenger from God Imam Mehdi, before the heavily armed religious fanatics released the 50 bus passengers unharmed.
"The trick worked and we were able to prevent further violence and saved the lives of innocent people," the police chief said.
Ahmed and about 30 supporters were terrorising residents by shooting into the air when police intervened, sparking a series of gunfights at three separate locations near the central city of Faisalabad.
Police chief Amin said one member of the group was killed and two others wounded before the "miscreants" surrendered.
He said Ahmed arrived in his home town Toba Tek Singh three months ago from Britain, where he has lived for the past 20 years.
Ahmed and his comrades have been booked under the country's anti terrorism law, he said.