SANGHAR: Four people, including two police constables, were shot dead during clashes between Pakistan Peoples’ Party (PPP) and Pakistan Muslim League–Functional (PML-F) workers on Tuesday afternoon, ahead of the local body polls in Sanghar scheduled for December 17.

The local government elections in the district were earlier postponed by the Election Commission of Pakistan following the killing of at least 11 people at Daraza Sharif in Khairpur district during the first phase of polling.

The decision was taken on the basis of reports regarding the possibility of political clashes in Sanghar — amidst calls for revenge for the Khairpur tragedy, where eight of the 11 people killed in violence on the polling day for the first phase of LG polls, hailed from Sanghar.

Take a look: LG polls in Sanghar on 17th.

Supporters of both the parties opened fire at each other when their rallies merged at the Rehmani Chowk area of the city.

Eye witnesses told Dawn.com that nine other people were injured in the firing, who were then shifted to Civil Hospital.

Those killed have been identified as Gul Mohammad Marri, Gul Mohammad Shah, constable Ashiq Marri and constable Nabi Bux Dero.

The situation in the city turned tense after the killings as enraged mobs set at least eight vehicles ablaze. Heavy contingents of police and law enforcement agencies have been deployed in the area to control the situation.