Armed clash leaves five dead, one injured

KHAIRPUR:

Armed clash between Solangi and Narejo groups claimed five lives while one person sustained serious injuries.

According to the police and villagers, over a dozen armed motorcyclists, reportedly from Narejo clan, opened indiscriminate fire at a group of people standing at an intersection in Gaagri village, located within Wada Machhiyon police jurisdiction. As a result, Siraj Ahmed Solangi, a school security guard, was killed on the spot while two others, 16-year-old Atiq-ur-Rehman Solangi and Manzoor Ahmed Solangi, were seriously injured.

The injured were rushed to the Civil Hospital Khairpur, where Atiq succumbed to his bullet injuries.

In retaliation, Solangi clansmen blocked Khairpur-Pir Jo Goth road near Piryaloi, stopped vehicles and checked the identity cards of commuters. They allegedly shot three Narejo clansmen dead, including Ejaz Narejo, Javed Narejo, and Muhammad Usman Narejo.

Police said the violence appears to be linked to a recent police encounter in which notorious criminal Sain Bux Narejo was killed. Narejo people suspected the Solangis tipping off authorities, leading to the killing of Sain Bux.

Clashes between the two groups continued late into the night, with no immediate police response, witnesses said.