KARACHI, Sept 23: A man was killed and another sustained bullet wounds on Monday as a protest in Korangi against the previous day’s attacks on a church in Peshawar turned into an armed clash between two groups, leaving a house, two shops and a number of motorcycles gutted, officials said.
Police fired teargas and shots in the air to disperse the protesters. They detained over 50 suspects and brought the situation under control after more than a three-hour face-off in Korangi 3 ½. The clash set off when stones were thrown on a mosque minutes after the protest against the Peshawar attacks concluded.
According to a police official, some residents of the area were returning to their homes after taking part in the protest. Some people threw stones at a mosque. It initially sparked a brawl between some youngsters, but led to an exchange of fire between two groups. The firing claimed the life of 26-year-old Nazar Iqbal and left Mohammad Abid injured, the official added.
Within half an hour the area reverberated with gunfire and panic set in the densely-populated neighbourhood. The situation failed to attract immediate attention from law-enforcement agencies as armed men were seen roaming freely in streets.
After receiving information that a house and two shops had been attacked, fire tenders moved towards the affected area, said an official at the central fire station. But, he added, they could not enter the area due to the tense situation.
Later a heavy contingent of police, backed by Rangers, surrounded the affected areas. However, the move failed to normalise the situation. As guns fell silent, police resorted to teargas shelling and shooting in the air.
The officials said the situation became normal after a police ‘operation’.
Munir Sheikh, DIG East, said police had taken 60 suspects into custody. “We have enhanced police deployment in the affected areas with support of Rangers. The situation is under control now.”
Meanwhile, the bishop of the diocese of the Church of Pakistan, Sadiq Daniel, denounced violent protests and urged members of his community to remain peaceful.
Speaking at a press conference at the Trinity Church earlier in the day, he said: “We are a gentle and peace-loving community. We do not approve of violent protests. It is unfortunate that doing harm in reply to harm have become a part of Pakistan’s culture. We are aware of burning of tyres and roadblocks by our youth, but we do not endorse this.”
