Two dead, eight injured in clash between religious groups
Rangers control the crowd at the site of the clash in the Golimar area. Photo: Online
Two men were killed and eight others injured in an armed clash between two religious groups in Golimar on Sunday. Several vehicles were also set on fire in arson attacks that took place during the violent clash.
The conflict started when a rally organised by one of the groups passed through Rizvia Society near Golimar. Tensions escalated as members of both the groups hurled stones and fired gunshots at each other.
Two men, identified as Muhammad Sherry and Muhammad Junaid, were killed and eight others injured in the fire exchange. In the resulting chaos, agitators set fire to a bus, two rickshaws, a high-roof van, and three motorcycles.
According to District West DIG Irfan Baloch, the clash started with stone-throwing during the rally, which inflamed the situation. Unidentified assailants took advantage of the chaos to shoot the two men, he added.
Following the deadly shooting, members of both religious groups clashed further, chanting slogans and setting fire to vehicles on the road. Rangers and police contingents arrived and brought the situation under control after successful negotiations with the leaders of both groups. The burned vehicles were removed from the area with the assistance of a lifter.
Karachi police chief AIG Javed Alam Odho has directed the DIG West and SSP Central to submit a detailed report. He noted that discussions with the leaders of both groups had helped ease tensions. Police are continuing their investigation and will take action against those responsible for the violence. The clash caused widespread fear in the area, leading to shops closure and suspension of traffic flow.