Operation Lyari

Published April 29, 2012
Armed policemen are seen through the shattered window of a police van which was damaged during a firefight with gang members. – Photo by Reuters
Armed policemen are seen through the shattered window of a police van which was damaged during a firefight with gang members. – Photo by Reuters
Police commandos take cover during a crackdown operation against criminals. – Photo by AP
Police commandos take cover during a crackdown operation against criminals. – Photo by AP
A relative mourns at a hospital next to a dead body killed in crossfire between police and criminal gangs during the operation. Local media reported six people including a police officer were killed and several injured. – Photo by AFP
A relative mourns at a hospital next to a dead body killed in crossfire between police and criminal gangs during the operation. Local media reported six people including a police officer were killed and several injured. – Photo by AFP
A police commando fires in the air as he crosses a street during the operation against criminal gangs. – Photo by AFP
A police commando fires in the air as he crosses a street during the operation against criminal gangs. – Photo by AFP
Police commandos fire in the air during an operation against criminal gangs. – Photo by AFP
Police commandos fire in the air during an operation against criminal gangs. – Photo by AFP
A woman walks through a street during a firefight between the police and gang members. – Photo by Reuters
A woman walks through a street during a firefight between the police and gang members. – Photo by Reuters
Several police commandos enter the troubled area to carry out a crackdown against criminals. – Photo by AP
Several police commandos enter the troubled area to carry out a crackdown against criminals. – Photo by AP

For the last several days, the densely populated neighbourhood of Lyari has been echoing with endless volleys of gunfire. At times the sound of gunfire is interrupted by rocket-propelled grenades, forcing most residents to either remain indoors or run for life.

Violence seems to have become a permanent feature of life in one of the oldest and most impoverished neighbourhoods in Karachi. In the latest round of bloodletting, security forces have squared off against gunmen and ‘gangsters’ following the murder of a seasoned Pakistan People’s Party activist on Thursday.

However, while security forces confronted gunmen armed with grenades and other heavy weapons, many outside of Lyari are unaware of the bloodshed and lawlessness that now appears to rule Karachi’s old city area. – Photos by Agencies

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