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Karachi tense after fatal clashes | Karachi tense after fatal clashes |
(about 6 hours later) | |
Paramilitary troops are out in force in the Pakistani city of Karachi, with tension high a day after ethnic clashes killed at least 32 people. | Paramilitary troops are out in force in the Pakistani city of Karachi, with tension high a day after ethnic clashes killed at least 32 people. |
There have been a number of fresh incidents of violence reported, including shots fired at the funerals of some of the victims. | There have been a number of fresh incidents of violence reported, including shots fired at the funerals of some of the victims. |
The clashes are said to be between Urdu-speakers and ethnic Pashtuns. | The clashes are 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. |
'Shoot on sight' | 'Shoot on sight' |
"We have compiled a list of those killed and injured from last night's violence," Karachi Police Surgeon Liaquat Memon told the BBC. | "We have compiled a list of those killed and injured from last night's violence," Karachi Police Surgeon Liaquat Memon told the BBC. |
The clashes were said to be between Urdu-speakers and ethnic Pashtuns | The clashes were said to be between Urdu-speakers and ethnic Pashtuns |
"According to the list, 32 people have died and 50 have been injured during the violence. The death toll includes those brought in injured who later expired in the hospitals. | "According to the list, 32 people have died and 50 have been injured during the violence. The death toll includes those brought in injured who later expired in the hospitals. |
"The data covers all the major hospitals in the city." | "The data covers all the major hospitals in the city." |
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 on sight orders for miscreants." | 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 on sight orders for miscreants." |
See a map of the north-west region | See a map of the north-west region |
Shots were fired by unidentified gunmen at funerals being held in North Karachi on Thursday and clashes were reported in at least two other areas of the city. | Shots were fired by unidentified gunmen at funerals being held in North Karachi on Thursday and clashes were reported in at least two other areas of the city. |
About 25 people have been arrested in connection with Wednesday's shootings. | About 25 people have been arrested in connection with Wednesday's 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 Taleban remain active in many parts of Pakistan's north-west | The Taleban remain active in many parts of Pakistan's north-west |
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 Wednesday's 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). | Officials said Wednesday's 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. | 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. |
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