07 February 2004	Saturday	15 Zilhaj 1424

KARACHI, Feb 6: A ten-year old boy died and four others were injured when two families fired at each other in Saeedabad on Friday.

Police said Mohammad Waseem had married a girl two months back, but the girl went back to her parents' house after a dispute with her in-laws.

On Friday, the family of Mohammad Waseem went to the girl's house to resolve the matter. Following an apparent settlement of the matter, when Waseem's family came out of the house, some men from both sides opened fire at each other.

Police said that carrying of weapons on the part of Waseem's family created a tension which resulted in the firing. Subsequently, a ten-year onlooker, Farooq suffered a serious bullet wound resulting in instant death.

Those injured in the firing are Waseem Beg, Mohammad Asim, Rana Rehmat and Rana Iftikhar, the girl's brothers. They were taken to the Civil Hospital in serious condition. Police, quoting the family sources, said that Waseem Beg, who was injured in the fire, was to get married on Feb 6.

ACCIDENT: Three women and an infant died, and three others were injured in a road accident at Ghagghar Phatak on Friday.

Police said a family was returning after a picnic in Thatta in a Suzuki pickup when a speeding loader truck (PKB-679) and a dumper rammed into the pickup (KF-9796).

Edhi sources said that Sabra Khatoon, 28, her five-month-old son Shahzeb, Khairunnisa, 35, and an unidentified woman died in the accident. Police said that Suriya, 5, Saiqa, 6 and Gul Khan, 38, were injured and taken to the JPMC for treatment. Police claimed to have arrested both the drivers from the spot.

DIES: An aged balloon-seller died and two children were injured when a gas cylinder exploded in Sharshah on Friday.

Police said the old man was selling balloons on his pushcart in Block-C, Sharshah Road, when the gas-cylinder fitted in his pushcart exploded, killing him instantly and injuring two children who were present near him to buy the balloons.

The injured children were identified as Asif aged four and Fouzia aged six. They were taken to the Civil Hospital and were later referred to the National Institute of Child Health. The balloon-seller could not be identified.