KHAIRPUR, Feb 18: Four people lost their lives and more than 145 suffered injuries in election-related violence at polling stations across the province on Monday.
In Khairpur, three people were killed and four injured when clashes broke out after exchange of hot words between Pakistan People’s Party and Pakistan Muslim League-Functional workers at polling stations in different areas.
Wali Mohammad Kanhar was killed and Abdul Jabbar and Faiz Mohammad Kanhar Mangnejo were injured in firing by unidentified people on Goghi Mangnejo polling station.
Asghar Mangrio was killed on the spot and Lal Bux and a two-year-old baby Ayesha were seriously injured when unidentified armed men fired on Malang Mangrio polling station in the jurisdiction of Tando Masti Khan police station.
A PPP worker Ali Mohammad Wassan was killed on the spot when some unidentified armed men opened fire on a polling station in Pir Guddu in Kotdiji taluka.
Unidentified armed men opened fire on the vehicle of a PPP candidate for NA-217 Pir Fazal Shah Jilani near Pir Badal area. Pir Fazal told journalists that he escaped unhurt in the firing but a worker Abdul Khaliq Kori sustained injuries.
Unidentified people snatched ballot papers from a presiding officer near Talli Behan polling station of Thari Mirwah taluka, but the administration immediately supplied new ballot papers.
In Shikarpur, Abdul Hakeem Sanjrani was killed and four women and two men were injured in an armed clash between workers of PML-Q and an independent candidate for PS-11 Junaid Ahmed Soomro at a polling station in Dawan Shah mohalla.
Twenty people were injured in clashes between workers of different parties.
In Jacobabad, 14 people were injured in a rocket attack on a polling station and clash between PPP and PML activists.
Unidentified people fired a rocket at a polling station in Wahid Bux Sarki village seriously injuring seven people. The rocket hit the polling station when people were casting vote.
Police have arrested 18 people belonging to different political parties.
In Kashmore-Kandhkot district, 16 people including five women were injured at Nawab Dahani polling station, four PML-Q supporters were injured at polling station in Bhittai High School in Kandhkot and two PPP workers were injured in Ghouspur.
Five people were injured in a clash between PML-Q and PPP workers at polling station in Hayat Khoso and two were injured at a polling station in Khawand Bux Balikani. The injured belonged to PPP.
In Sanghar, more than 50 people were injured at different places when scuffles bro0ke out between political activists at polling stations in Kandiari, Bahadur Kaloi, Bakhoro, Chak No. 30, 5 and Hashim Khaskheli villages.
In Dadu and Jamshoro districts, 35 people were injured. PPP and PML-Q workers clashed at Betto Jatoi, village of Liaquat Ali Jatoi and nephew of a PPP candidate, Saqib Mahessar, was injured in firing.
Unidentified armed men opened fire on a PPP camp outside a polling station in Gahi Mahessar followed by a clash between PPP and PML-Q supporters in which five PPP workers were injured.
Twelve people were injured at a polling station in Allah Obhayo in Sita Road town in clashes between PPP and PML-Q workers, seven people at Ladhan polling station in Khairpur Nathan Shah, two PPP workers at Baladai polling station, three at Hingora polling station, four at Charo polling station, one PPP worker in Mangwani union council and one at polling station Murad.
Sukkur and Rohri remained relatively peaceful throughout the day with no report of violence from any part of the twin cities, except a few incidents of exchange of hot words between PPP and PML supporters.
There are reports the presiding officer of Gullan Korai polling station Farooq Leghari has been kidnapped and presiding officer of Jiskani polling station Ali Nawaz Manganhar died of heart attack in the course of duty.
In Mirpurkhas, two activists were injured in election related violence. A dispute erupted between MQM and PPP activists at polling station in the Quaid-i-Millat Girls’ Primary School Satellite town in which MQM activist Suleman and Taj Mohammad PPP’s Wassan sustained injuries.
Polling remained suspended at polling station in Government Aisha Siddique Economic Centre in Lalchandabad when hundreds of people entered the polling station.
Miscreants fired in the air and pelted stones at vehicles of PPP candidate for PS-64 Mirpurkhas-I, Naveed Buland, outside Dawn Primary School Jamnadas Colony polling station and polling was suspended for half an hour.
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