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| Karachi tense after fatal clashes | Karachi tense after fatal clashes |
| (41 minutes later) | |
| Paramilitary troops are out in force in the Pakistani city of Karachi, with tension high a day after ethnic clashes killed at least 24 people. | Paramilitary troops are out in force in the Pakistani city of Karachi, with tension high a day after ethnic clashes killed at least 24 people. |
| A security forces spokesman said the situation was under control but there was concern of more violence when funerals of victims are held later. | A security forces spokesman said the situation was under control but there was concern of more violence when funerals of victims are held later. |
| The clashes were said to be between Urdu-speakers and ethnic Pashtuns. | The clashes were said to be between Urdu-speakers and ethnic Pashtuns. |
| Separately, President Asif Ali Zardari called for national unity in tackling militants in the restive north-west. | Separately, President Asif Ali Zardari called for national unity in tackling militants in the restive north-west. |
| Pakistani troops this week launched operations in the Lower Dir and Buner regions to remove Taleban militants who had spread there from their stronghold in Swat. | Pakistani troops this week launched operations in the Lower Dir and Buner regions to remove Taleban militants who had spread there from their stronghold in Swat. |
| Obama's concern | Obama's concern |
| In Karachi, a spokesman from the Pakistan Rangers paramilitary force told Reuters news agency: "We have heavy deployment of troops across the city, and they have been told to go to any extent to control the situation, including shoot at sight orders for miscreants." | In Karachi, a spokesman from the Pakistan Rangers paramilitary force told Reuters news agency: "We have heavy deployment of troops across the city, and they have been told to go to any extent to control the situation, including shoot at sight orders for miscreants." |
| See a map of the north-west region | See a map of the north-west region |
| He added: "The situation is under control now, but keeping in view the incidents of yesterday, traffic is pretty thin." | He added: "The situation is under control now, but keeping in view the incidents of yesterday, traffic is pretty thin." |
| About 25 people have been arrested in connection with the shootings. | About 25 people have been arrested in connection with the shootings. |
| There is reduced public transport and schools are closed. | There is reduced public transport and schools are closed. |
| Karachi has a history of ethnic violence. | Karachi has a history of ethnic violence. |
| The clashes were said to be between Urdu-speakers and ethnic Pashtuns | |
| It is dominated by Urdu-speakers, but there is also a growing population of ethnic Pashtuns. | It is dominated by Urdu-speakers, but there is also a growing population of ethnic Pashtuns. |
| Officials said the fighting was between members of the two groups, and started after an unidentified man opened fire, killing three members of the Urdu-speaking Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM). | |
| Most of the dead in the violence were Pashtuns. | |
| Police said 16 cars, 20 shops and eight hotels were set on fire on Wednesday. | |
| In the north-west, the military is continuing its operations in Buner, less than 100km (60 miles) from the capital, Islamabad. | In the north-west, the military is continuing its operations in Buner, less than 100km (60 miles) from the capital, Islamabad. |
| On Wednesday it said it had taken control of the key town of Dagar. | On Wednesday it said it had taken control of the key town of Dagar. |
| The army said hundreds of Taleban fighters had spread to Buner after a peace deal. | The army said hundreds of Taleban fighters had spread to Buner after a peace deal. |
| The peace deal sets up Sharia law in parts of the region in return for an end to the Taleban insurgency. | The peace deal sets up Sharia law in parts of the region in return for an end to the Taleban insurgency. |
| However, the Taleban have not laid down their arms. | However, the Taleban have not laid down their arms. |
| The army says fighting in Lower Dir has ended. | The army says fighting in Lower Dir has ended. |
| On Wednesday, Mr Zardari said Pakistan was facing a "critical hour" in tackling the militants. | On Wednesday, Mr Zardari said Pakistan was facing a "critical hour" in tackling the militants. |
| "The time has come for the entire nation to give pause to their political differences and rise to the occasion and give full support to our security forces," a presidential statement said. | "The time has come for the entire nation to give pause to their political differences and rise to the occasion and give full support to our security forces," a presidential statement said. |
| Also on Wednesday, US President Barack Obama again said he was "gravely concerned about the situation in Pakistan". | Also on Wednesday, US President Barack Obama again said he was "gravely concerned about the situation in Pakistan". |
| "I'm more concerned that the civilian government there right now is very fragile," he said. | "I'm more concerned that the civilian government there right now is very fragile," he said. |
| Click here to return | Click here to return |