Eleven killed in Bhakkar sectarian clashes

Agencies Published August 23, 2013

ISLAMABAD: Members of a radical Sunni group clashed on Friday with minority Shia's in central Pakistan, fighting that killed 11 people.

Six people had initially been killed in violence. The death toll has now increased after five people, who had been injured in the clashes, later succumbed to their injuries.

The clashes between Ahle Sunnat Waljamaat (ASWJ) members and the Shia's happened in the town of Bhakkar in Punjab province, police official Abdullah Khan said.

People were killed on both sides, Khan said.

The conflict followed a protest rally held by ASWJ after one of their members was gunned down while closing his shop.

Pakistan has experienced worsening sectarian violence in recent years, especially attacks by radical Sunnis targeting Shia's.

Also on Friday, gunmen on a motorcycle opened fire outside a Sunni seminary on the outskirts of the capital, Islamabad, killing two people and wounding a third, police official Mohammad Bashir said.

Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif has taken notice of the clashes.

The Majlis-e-Wahdat-e-Muslimeen has condemned the clashes and have declared three days of mourning.

Pakistan

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afroze

Aug 23, 2013 11:43pm

where is the state security ??

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Aug 24, 2013 01:23am

SO this is what it has come down to. I wonder of these killers call themselves muslims, because certainly their actions don't reflect that.

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Altaf Hussain

Aug 25, 2013 08:19pm

The farmer who yokes a lion and ploughs his land is destined to die an unfortunate death. The same situation is with our people. Religion has become apple of discard instead of being bone of contention. It is irony of fate that a nation that even is not willing respect the difference is destined to be defamed. Radical Fundamentalist forces are undermining the country with a high hand and the the nation is nothing but a Sacrificial Pawn in this game. The way to promotion is way farther.

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Altaf Hussain

Aug 25, 2013 08:20pm

@afroze: Do we have state security?

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Mustafa

Aug 25, 2013 09:50pm

@afroze: "where is the state security ??" It is securing the state of course, the Raiwind state.

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Najib Khan

Aug 25, 2013 10:15pm

Unfortunately, we are going to see more of this violence in the coming months after Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has openly expressed his future plans of turning Gawadar into a free port like Hong Kong. Other players in the region, in particular those whose economies are dependent on their free trade status would never want another free port in their backyard. We need to be extremely cautious and patient at the same time. One more year and NATO will be out of our backyard insha Allah; so this coming year is a very crucial year, and a big surge in terrorism is very likely. But I strongly believe that my beloved Pakistan will come out as a big winner, insha Allah! Pakistan Zindabad; Pakistan Paindabad!!!

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