Four killed in clash over petty dispute in Sindh

According to police, people of Solangi and Chandio communities were involved in the brawl

HYDERABAD: A minor quarrel in a neighbourhood of Dadu district intensified in an armed clash on Saturday resulting in the killings of four persons. The incident, which took place in Farhan Colony area, also left five persons injured including two in critical condition.

Police claimed to have arrested five suspects, recovered weapons and lodged an FIR on the state's complaint on Sunday. Officials said that people of Solangi and Chandio communities were involved in the brawl. "Around a month ago, a man from Chandio's side was injured in a fight with a Solangi, who objected that a Chandio climbed up the electric pole from where the inside of their house was visible, without priorly informing their family," the SHO told the media.

He added that a few days ago the Chandios attacked two men of Solangi community and beat them with wooden sticks in revenge. The initial reports of the clashes were also registered by both sides at A-Section Police Station.

SHO Noor Mustafa Pathan informed that two men of the Chandio community and as many from Solangi were killed in the exchange of fire. The slain persons include Zameer Solangi, Asghar Solangi, Azeem Chandio and Sonu Chandio. They were laid to rest on Saturday after their bodies were handed over to the families after postmortem.

Three of the injured belong to Solangis and two to Chandios. The SHO said that on directives of Dadu district SSP Dr Farrukh Raza, a police picket has been set up in the locality where markets remained shut on Sunday in fear of further reprisals. The police said that automatic guns and pistols were used in the clash.

The police have arrested Javed Chandio, Ali Chandio, Ahsaan Solangi, Mansoor Solangi and one unidentified person. The FIR, which has nominated 35 persons, contains sections 302, 311, 324, 148, 149 and 504 of Pakistan Penal Code and section 6/7 of Anti-Terrorism Act.