Brawl: Shopkeeper killed

Killing took place during an exchange of fire between two trader groups in G-9 Markaz.

ISLAMABAD: A shopkeeper was killed and several others were injured during an exchange of fire between two trader groups in G-9 Markaz on Saturday, police said. According to the police, two trader groups- one led by Akhlaq Abbasi and the other by Malik Rafiq- were campaigning for union elections slated to be held on February 27 when supporters of the rival groups exchanged hot words. In the meantime, some supporters of Abbasi group reportedly opened fire on the rival group and a bullet hit 34-year-old Usman Rafiq, son of Malik Rafiq, who is contesting for the president of the union. Nine other traders also sustained injuries during the firing. The body and the injured were rushed to the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences for autopsy, and treatment. Dozens of traders gathered outside the hospital and protested the incident. The police had not registered an FIR till filing of this report.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 16^th, 2014.