No respite: Two killed as festivities turn bloody

Violence erupts while members of one group were preparing for Baloch Cultural Day.

KARACHI: At least two people were killed and around a dozen others injured during a fresh wave of violence in the restive areas of Lyari on Sunday.

The latest clashes between members of the two groups, Baba Ladla and Uzair Baloch, affected various parts of Lyari, including Sarbazi Mohalla, Shah Baig Lane, Ali Mohammad Mohalla, Saifi Lane, Moosa Lane, Aath Chowk, Chakiwara, Khadda Market, Nayabad and Juna Masjid Road.

The residents of the affected areas were confined to their homes due to the intense firing and explosions of rockets and crackers. Routine and commercial activities were also suspended despite the presence of a large contingent of Rangers and police.

Sources said that the fresh wave of violence erupted after members of the Baba Ladla group attacked members of the rival Uzair Baloch group as they were preparing for the Baloch Cultural Day celebrations.

"After the initial attack by Ladla's group, members of the rival group also retaliated with heavy firing," said an insider. "The aim was to sabotage the cultural day being observed by the Uzair Baloch group." He said that the law enforcers remained outside the affected areas until both groups halted the onslaught.

The bodies of the deceased and the injured were shifted to Civil Hospital, Karachi and Lyari General Hospital. The two deceased were identified as Naseer Ahmed, 20, son of Nazeer Ahmed, and Hanif, 25, son of Noor Mohammad Baloch. The injured were identified as Mohammad Brohi, 20, Shabana, 25, Jamila, 24, Sakina, 35, Asma, 20, Shabbir Hussain, 42, Ismail, 55, Asghar, 24 and Mustafa, 16. Police officials said that all of the injured and deceased were residents of the same area and had no links to either of gang.

Meanwhile, at least two people were wounded when a Rangers van reportedly came under attack in Lyari area late on Sunday evening. The situation in the area remained tense till the filing of this news story.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 3^rd, 2014.