KARACHI, April 11: Two activists of the Jeay Sindh Qaumi Mahaz were killed in retaliatory fire while they were forcing traders in the Khadda Market area of Lyari to pull down shutters on a call by the JSQM for a province-wide strike, police said.

Over half a dozen persons, including three girls, were wounded in firing and at least four vehicles were destroyed in different arson attacks in certain areas. However, life in most parts of the city remained normal.

The strike call was given by the party after the family and party leaders rejected the initial findings of the doctors describing the death of Bashir Qureshi as natural.

The police said at least three persons, including two seminary students, were wounded when JSQM workers opened fire in an attempt to force shops’ closure in Khadda Market. A group in the area fired at the activists in retaliation, leaving two of them wounded. Both were rushed to the Civil Hospital Karachi, where Ghulam Husain, 29, and his associate, Waqas aka Naqqash, 25, died during treatment.

Earlier, a passer-by wounded in firing in the area was taken to hospital for treatment.

In the Kalakot area, three girls were wounded when some gunmen opened fire in an attempt to force traders to pull down shutters.

Aitya, 8, Shaheen, 7, and Sara, 22, were passing through the area in a rickshaw when they sustained gunshot wounds. They were rushed to the Civil Hospital for treatment.

SSP-South Nasir Aftab said it was not clear if they were targeted or caught in crossfire.

Two passengers of Shiraz coach, Noor Shah and Muhammad Abdullah, were wounded when a couple of gunmen opened fire presumably to force all passengers to leave the vehicle before setting it on fire near Dua Hotel on Mauripur Road.

They also set fire to a truck parked nearby. The coach was destroyed in the blaze while the truck was partially burnt, the police said.

Earlier, a minibus of G-13 route and another of D-27 route were torched in Gulistan-i-Jauhar’s Bakhtawar Goth and Safoora Chowk, respectively.

Safoora Goth and its neighbouring areas wore a deserted look with all shops remaining closed during the day.

Similarly, commercial activities in Gulshan-i-Hadeed had been suspended since late Tuesday night.