In a second incident of its nature in less than a year, a violent mob attacked an outlet of a popular American fast food restaurants chain in Mirpurkhas late Tuesday night, causing damage to the building and setting part of it on fire.
The attack occurred at the franchise located on the outskirts of Mirpurkhas, along the Hyderabad-Mirpurkhas road. The assailants, motivated by anger against Israel, vandalised the fast food chain's property, throwing stones, breaking windows with wooden and metal sticks, and looting its kitchen. They also damaged furniture within the restaurant.
Police responded belatedly, but after using teargas, baton charges, and aerial firing, they were able to disperse the mob. The attackers fought back, throwing stones at police, injuring several officers, including DSP Aslam Jagirani. According to Mirpurkhas SSP Sumer Ahmed Channa, no police officers were seriously hurt, although some sustained minor injuries.
At the time of the attack, which took place around 2.30am on Wednesday, 14 to 15 suspects were arrested on the spot. SSP Channa confirmed that all those identified through CCTV footage would be charged under the Anti-Terrorism Act (ATA) and other relevant sections of the Pakistan Penal Code (PPC). He assured that police would not allow such violent actions to disrupt peace in the city.
The attackers were heard shouting slogans against Israel and multinational companies associated with it. Despite the political and ideological nature of the protest, footage from the incident shows participants looting items from the restaurant's kitchen, adding a criminal element to the unrest.
This attack follows a similar incident in Sukkur on April 13, 2024, where another franchise of the fast food chain was targeted.
An FIR was registered for the Mispurkhas attack by police on Wednesday under the state's complaint. The case names 170 suspects, including several suspects identified in the attack.
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