DERA MURAD JAMALI: At least 12 people were injured in clashes with police during rallies and demonstrations held in Dera Allahyar and other towns of Nasirabad and Jaffarabad districts in Balochistan on Sunday in protest against alleged desecration of Holy Quran in Larkana.

The angry mob set on fire a number of shops in Usta Mohammad town of Jaffarabad. Protests were also held in Dera Murad Jamali and other towns and cities of Balochistan.

A large number of people led by local religious leaders tried to attack Hindu temples and Gurdwaras.

They also tried to enter Hindu localities, but police and Levies personnel foiled the attempt. Police fired in the air to stop the protesters from attacking a temple in Dera Allahyar. Some protesters and four other people were injured.

Four of the shops set ablaze in Usta Mohammad belong to Hindu traders. The protesters also tried to attack other properties of the Hindu community, but they were pushed back by a heavy contingent of law-enforcement personnel deployed by the administration.

All shops, markets and commercial centres were closed in the districts of Jaffarabad, Nasirabad and Sobatpur bordering Sindh. Security has been beefed up in and around temples and Gurdwaras and police and Levies personnel started patrolling Hindu and Sikh localities.