Residents protest as security forces arrive for an operation in the Lyari area of Karachi.—Reuters Photo

KARACHI, April 29: At least 19 people have been killed over the past three days in the ongoing gunbattles between police and gangsters in Lyari, where rockets and hand grenades are also being used.

Dozens of people, including two media persons, have also been wounded in the armed clashes between gangsters and police.

Apart from a few gangsters, three policemen, including a station house officer and pedestrians have fallen prey to the armed clashes.

Doctors at the Civil Hospital, where most casualties from Lyari are being brought as it is in close proximity to the affected areas, said that most deaths occurred due to gunshot wounds mostly inflicted by AK-47 assault rifles. Doctors at the hospital also treated people who had been hit by shrapnel from rockets and grenades.

The bloodiest fight took place when a CID team led by SP Aslam Khan tried to enter Lyari from the Cheel Chowk area in the early hours of Friday.—Staff Reporter