Lyari operation
Police armoured personnel carriers (APCs) take part in an operation against criminal elements during the third day of operation in Karachi’s Lyari area, April 29, 2012. — Photo by PPI

KARACHI: The ongoing operation against heavily armed gangsters in Karachi’s Lyari area entered its fourth day on Monday, DawnNews reported.

At least 20 people were killed during the past three days of the operation.

The area was tense and protests against the operation were taking place in different parts of the city.

Protestors took out processions in various areas of Karachi including Native Jetty Bridge and Jinnah Bridge, against the operation and demanded that the area be handed over to the army.

Protestors demonstrated in the city’s Pak Colony area claiming that the area’s residents were being targeted “under the cover of an operation against criminal elements”.

During the protests, unknown gunmen boarded a public bus and attempted to loot the passengers.  The looters opened fire upon facing resistance as a result of which two people were killed and three others, including a policeman, were injured. The gunmen set two buses on fire while escaping from the scene.

The protestors also complained about the lack of arrangements by authorities for the ongoing operation. Residents have been facing an electricity black out since Friday which in turn adds to the problem of water shortage adding to the misery of the residents who have been living in a virtual warzone.

Apart from water and electricity there is a shortage of food and other essential amenities in the area which is forcing the residents to flee.

Earlier on Sunday, at least four persons, including a policeman, were killed in pitched battles between law-enforcement personnel and heavily armed gangsters.

Sunday’s violence also left several persons, including two DSPs and as many mediapersons, wounded.

Moreover, Sunday also saw protestors taking out rallies in Jehangir Road, Kalapul, Mawach Goth and Baloch Colony areas, burning tyres and raising anti-government slogans.

Opinion

Editorial

Punishing evaders
02 May, 2024

Punishing evaders

THE FBR’s decision to block mobile phone connections of more than half a million individuals who did not file...
Engaging Riyadh
Updated 02 May, 2024

Engaging Riyadh

It must be stressed that to pull in maximum foreign investment, a climate of domestic political stability is crucial.
Freedom to question
02 May, 2024

Freedom to question

WITH frequently suspended freedoms, increasing violence and few to speak out for the oppressed, it is unlikely that...
Wheat protests
Updated 01 May, 2024

Wheat protests

The government should withdraw from the wheat trade gradually, replacing the existing market support mechanism with an effective new one over the next several years.
Polio drive
01 May, 2024

Polio drive

THE year’s fourth polio drive has kicked off across Pakistan, with the aim to immunise more than 24m children ...
Workers’ struggle
Updated 01 May, 2024

Workers’ struggle

Yet the struggle to secure a living wage — and decent working conditions — for the toiling masses must continue.