17 arrested as Bugtis bury clash victims

Despite ban, tribesmen openly carried guns in their vehicles

KARACHI:

 

Police conducted raids on Friday, resulting in the arrest of 17 individuals connected to an armed clash that left five people dead in Karachi's Defence Housing Authority (DHA).

Deputy Inspector General (DIG) South, Syed Asad Raza, confirmed the recovery of weapons from three suspects during the raids.

At least five people died and two others were seriously injured in a deadly clash between the Fahad Bugti , nephew of slain Baloch chieftain Nawab Akbar Bugti and Ali Haider Bugti a maternal nephew of Akbar Bugti groups in DHA's Khayaban-e-Nishat late Thursday night.

The clash, rooted in an "old family dispute," led to the death of Fahad Bugti and Mir Ali Haider Bugti's sons Mir Mesum Bugti and Mir Esa Bugti as well as their gunman Ali.

Two others, Mir Ali Haider Bugti and Qaim Ali, sustained injuries.

The police believe the clash after the collision of the double cabin pickups of both the parties occurred due to an old enmity, leading to the arrest of 17 individuals possibly involved in the over 10-minute firing incident in the Defence Housing Authority's Khayaban-e-Nishat, one of the upscale areas of the port city, under the jurisdiction of Darakhshan police station.

Darakhshan police have lodged an FIR for the clash.

Despite a complete ban on displaying weapons, members of both groups, as shown in CCTV footage, openly carried guns in their vehicles.

"Karachi cannot afford such clashes. We will not allow anyone to disturb Karachi's peace," Karachi's police chief, Javed Alam Odho, told the media. The South district police have started an investigation, believing that both groups, who are close relatives, have an old enmity.

According to CCTV footage, the two vehicles, coming from opposite directions, collided near Fahad's house, and armed men from both sides began firing at each other. They are seen hiding behind nearby parked vehicles while shooting. The police claimed to have found about 150 bullet casings at the crime scene and have taken the vehicles into custody for further investigation.

They also stated that the police party reached the spot within five minutes and began rescuing the civilians present in the market. The incident reportedly occurred around 11:30 PM.

Sindh's Home Minister, Zia Lanjhar, said he has directed the police to thoroughly investigate the clash. "No one is allowed to take the law into their hands," he stated.

Both injured individuals are receiving treatment at the same hospital, while post-mortem examinations of the bodies were conducted at Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Center and Dr. Ruth Pfau Civil Hospital Karachi separately.

Due to tense situation, a heavy contingent of police and Rangers was deployed to prevent any untoward incident. According to doctors, Mir Essa died from a bullet wound to the chest. Mesum sustained gunshot wounds to the head, chest, abdomen, and left hand, while Ali Akbar was killed by a bullet to the head.

The three bodies were transported to the Chhipa morgue via ambulances and later moved to Jinnah Hospital. A police officer, who was handling the legal procedures for the bodies of the deceased, Nawabzada Fahad Ahmed Bugti and Naseebullah, reported that Fahad Bugti was killed by four bullets to different parts of his body, while Naseebullah died from a bullet wound below his right side of the back.

The funerals of Fahad Bugti and Naseebullah Bugti were held on Friday at the DHA graveyard, attended by members of the Bugti tribe, friends, and other citizens. Neither the police officials nor any family members have confirmed the reasons for the deadly clash among the Bugti clan members.

This incident underscores the severe consequences of longstanding tribal feuds and the critical need for strict law enforcement to prevent such violent confrontations.

"Carrying arms openly is not a new thing," Aziz Hassan, a citizen commented. "It is even harmful for ordinary citizens," he added, asking the government to take stern actions against the persons carrying weapons.