US oilmen shot dead in Pakistan
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Four American oil executives were shot dead in central Karachi yesterday morning, only days before the arrival in Pakistan of Madeleine Albright, the American Secretary of State.
The car in which they were travelling was overtaken on a bridge and forced to a halt. Gunmen opened fire and continued firing until all five occupants of the car, including the driver, were dead.
No group has claimed responsibility for the attack, though there is speculation that the killings may have been in retaliation for the conviction the previous day in Washington DC of a 33-year-old Pakistani immigrant, Aimal Kansi, for the murder of two CIA employees in January 1993.
Following the killings of the two men, Kansi, the sole suspect, fled the country and eluded capture for four years. He was eventually tracked down to a hotel in a remote part of the country in June. FBI agents were involved in his capture and he was then extradited to the United States without formal proceedings.
America is highly unpopular in Pakistan and is blamed for many of the country's ills. Aimal Kansi is seen as something of a hero - and if he gets the death penalty he will become a national martyr.
There may be a different explanation for the killings. Karachi is a violent city. Rival ethnic groups stage frequent shoot-outs, and more than 400 people have died in the city this year. One theory has it that the oil men's murderers are frustrated extortionists.
- Peter Popham, New Delhi
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments