HYDERABAD:One person was killed and a dozen injured when a crowd of the disciples ofPirPagaroclashed with a procession carrying People’s Party Chairman Z.A. Bhutto to a party meeting atSangharthis afternoon [March 31] it was official stated here tonight.

But unofficial reports put the casualties at three dead and 61 injured. Mr Bhutto himself escaped with minor bruises. Among the injured was an Assistant Sub-Inspector of Police and a Constable, the official Press note issued heresaid.

Section 144 has been clamped on Sanghar. Of the 61 injured, 36 are being kept in Sanghar Civil Hospital and 25 in hospitals at Hyderabad and Sha­h­­­dadpur. The mob also burnt a car on the scene.

Mr Bhutto, who later arrived in Hyderabad, said that the attack was “pre-meditated, pre-planned and cold-blooded to murder me.” … “A rain of bullets fell to the ground and I missed that by inches. Had it not been for the bravery of my comrades I would not have escaped that. Allah has saved me to serve my people. People have died. My friends have been seriously injured and we will take this matter directly to the people of Pakistan,” he said.

Published in Dawn, April 1st, 2020