Renewed Karachi violence claims 10 lives

KARACHI: At least 10 people were killed and 29 others injured in renewed incidents of violence in the city on Tuesday. The incidents took place mostly in Orangi Town, but the tension spilled over to other parts of the city.
The day-long violence led to a ban on pillion riding till further orders.
Police said the violence was apparently triggered by an attack on Rahim Khan Swati, district information secretary of the ANP, in Qasba area of Orangi Town. He was injured in the attack and taken to a private hospital.
Pitched gunbattles continued throughout the day in different parts of Orangi. A bus came under attack in Qasba. Two passengers were killed and three others wounded.
Earlier in the day, heavy firing near Hasan Square created panic in the congested locality.
Police failed to restore calm, despite getting reinforcement from the Special Protection Group. Armoured personal carriers were also sent to the violence-hit area.
However, Rangers which recently got special police powers, were missing from the scene.
Meanwhile, MQM chief Altaf Hussain urged the government and the ANP leadership to end the violence and warned that if attacks on its supporters continued his party would be forced to launch peaceful protests.
The ANP appealed to the government to convene a meeting of coalition partners to help prevent violence.