Karachi, Pakistan: Political Violence Kills 17
- 14 years ago
At least 17 people have been killed in three days of political violence in Pakistan's commercial capital of Karachi.
Police said the violence erupted on Friday when activists clashed with members of the Awami National Party.
Those who were badly wounded were taken to a nearby hospital.
[Dr. Mohammad Anwar, Abbassi Shaheed Hospital]:
"It is target killing. I cannot give you the exact figure of casualties, but a large number are being brought here. Some of them are injured, others are brought here dead."
According to police, about 67 people have been killed in political violence in Karachi since the start of 2010.
Gangsters and the drug mafia have taken advantage of tensions increasing the chances that violence could get worse.
Karachi has been largely free of Islamist violence over the past couple of years, but a bomb at a minority Shi'ite Muslim procession in late December fueled concern that the militants were expanding their fight to the city.
Police said the violence erupted on Friday when activists clashed with members of the Awami National Party.
Those who were badly wounded were taken to a nearby hospital.
[Dr. Mohammad Anwar, Abbassi Shaheed Hospital]:
"It is target killing. I cannot give you the exact figure of casualties, but a large number are being brought here. Some of them are injured, others are brought here dead."
According to police, about 67 people have been killed in political violence in Karachi since the start of 2010.
Gangsters and the drug mafia have taken advantage of tensions increasing the chances that violence could get worse.
Karachi has been largely free of Islamist violence over the past couple of years, but a bomb at a minority Shi'ite Muslim procession in late December fueled concern that the militants were expanding their fight to the city.