Karachi descends into violence; 11 killed, scores injured

KARACHI: At least 11 people including were killed while 35 others were injured as violence erupted in several parts of the old city following firing on Awami Tehreek's 'Mohabbat Sindh' rally, Geo News reported.

Unknown armed men opened fire on the rally when it reached old city area. Hospital sources have confirmed receiving 11 dead bodies and many injured.

A reporter and a cameraman of a private news channel were among the injured. Several shops and vehicles have also been set ablaze by the miscreants.

DIG South Shaukat Ali told Geo news that a search operation was underway in the areas from where the rally was attacked and the situation was under control.

A woman killed during the clashes was later identified as Ghazala Batool, an employee of Pakistan International Airlines (PIA).

Firing incidents were also reported from Nawa Lane, Denso Hall, Dhobi Ghat, Ranchore Line, Lee Market and Jona Market.

All the roads towards Sindh Governor House and Chief Minister House had been closed with containers at the Shaheen Complex since noon ahead of the Mohabbat Sindh rally.

The Awami Tehreek (AT) and the People’s Amn Committee (PAC) had decided to bring out a rally from Cheel Chowk, Lyari, on Tuesday and to gather outside the Karachi Press Club (KPC), where the participants were to be addressed by President AT Ayaz Latif Palijo and Chairman PAC Uzair Jan Baloch.

PPI adds: Some victims whose bodies were brought to the Civil Hospital Karachi (CHK) were identified as Muhammad Yousuf, 43, s/o Abdullah, Aijaz Khan, 20, s/o Muhammad Bakhsh, Muhammad Mnzoor, 30, s/o Muhammad Farid and Amna, 15, daughter of Abdur Rehman, while identity of six other victims was yet to be ascertained.

The injured journalists was identified as reporter Aslam Khan and cameraman Khalil, who were assigned to cover the rally against the demand of carving out a separate Mohajir province in Sindh.

The other injured were identified as Hawa Bibi, 15, Muhammad Sajid, Noor Muhammad, 45, and Nauman, 22, Danial, 35, Aslam Khan, 22, Muhammd Yousuf, 45, Karim, 30, Rehmatullah, 20, Muhmmad Hussain, 39, Khalid, 28, Majid, Khan, 30, Zulfiqar and Jamal, 28.