15 killed, 100 injured during Karachi protests

By
AFP
|
15 killed, 100 injured during Karachi protests
KARACHI: At least 15 people including a policeman were killed and over 100 injured in various anti-Islam film protests across the metropolis on Friday.

The loss of life and damage caused to the city was the most severe in Pakistan as protesters set fire to cinemas, police vans, vehicles, banks and several shops.

Protests against the anti-Islam film started following Friday prayers and quickly took a violent turn.

Protesters burnt tyres, US flags and effigies of the anti-Islam filmmaker on MA Jinnah Road, PIDC, Sultanabad, and the city’s red zone.

Protesters burnt three cinemas on MA Jinnah Road and one on Abudullah Haroon Road. When the fire brigade reached the site the protesters did not let them extinguish the flames.

Protesters burnt a check post of the traffic police, three police vans and a private van near PIDC Bridge. Three banks were also set ablaze near PIDC. Police used aerial firing to disperse the protesters.

In Sultabad, police used tear gas to disperse protesters, while a police official was killed and ten others were injured when protesters opened fire near Netty Jetty Bridge.

Incidents of looting were also reported from various areas of the city.