Land dispute: PPP, PTI workers have shootout at hospital

At least seven injured in ‘moving’ fights.

RAWALPINDI: At least seven persons were injured after rival groups exchanged firing in the Ratta Amral area on Tuesday.

The clash was the result of a land dispute in Dhoke Mangtal. One group was led by Babar Jadoon, a former union council nazim, and the other by Raja Altaf.

As a result two persons --- one from either side --- were injured and were rushed to District Headquarters Hospital. The police said that armed men from both groups stormed the hospital and attacked each other on the premises, injuring five more persons. “Two injured are from the Jadoon group, while five are from the group led by Altaf,” said the police.

The injured were identified as Salaam Mir, Muhammad Mir, Muhammad Sufyan, Raja Nasir, Qasim, Suhail Ahmad and Tariq. Doctors at the ward said that all of the injured are in stable condition.

Firing at the hospital premises created panic among patients and visitors. “We initially thought it was a terrorist attack. Everyone started running for cover,” said a Altaf Satti, a ward boy.

He said the armed men were firing without considering that they might hit innocent bystanders.

As the hospital is located near the SP Rawal Town office, a heavy contingent of policemen quickly reached the hospital and brought the situation under control.

The gates of the hospital were then closed and no one was allowed to enter, causing many difficulties for patients and their attendants. The police also closed the emergency ward and no one was allowed in or out.

Jadoon is a member of the Pakistan Peoples Party, while Raja Altaf is from Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 18^th, 2015.