KARACHI, Aug 27: Bonfires were lit and various roads were closed for traffic for hours as the riots broke out in various Baloch-dominated localities here in the aftermath of an army operation in Balochistan in which the former governor and chief minister of the southern-west province, Nawab Akbar Bugti, along with his associates were killed.

Police were placed on a high alert across the city to tackle the law and order situation in case it deteriorates.

DIG Operations Mushtaq Shah said that the law and order under control on Sunday except sporadic events of protests.

Protestors while agitating at various places strongly condemned the killing of the Baloch political leader and state operation against Baloch tribes. They lit bonfire and pelted vehicles with stones blocking some roads for traffic for hours.

The disturbed areas included different parts of Lyari, Baloch Para on Jehangir Road, parts of Pak Colony, Memon Goth in Gadap, Baldia Town, Moach Goth and Khokhrapar.

A group of agitating people lit bonfire on the National Highway in Steel Town police limits and blocked the vehicular movement on the highway. They raised slogans condemning the killing of Akbar Bugti and against the government action. The law enforcement agencies reached the spot and dispersed the protestors. Later, they opened the main highway linking Karachi with Thatta.

Another group of agitating people blocked the vehicular movement at Lasbella Chowk, lit bonfire and pelted vehicles with stones. The protesters also set the traffic police kiosk on fire. Heavy contingent of police and paramilitary forces reached the spot to bring the situation under control. They lobbed teargas shells to disperse the agitating youths and cleared the road littered with the remains of bonfire and stones for traffic.

Baloch youths took to the street in Baloch Para on Jehangir Road and lit bonfire blocking the traffic. They staged protest against the killing and condemned the government action. Police and other law enforcement agencies brought the situation under control.

Earlier, hundreds of people attended the funeral prayer of Akbar Bugti in absentia, offered in a ground in Baloch Para in Jamshed Quarters.

Late on Saturday night, as soon as the television channels aired the news about the death of Akbar Bugti, the youths appeared on the Hub River Road in Baldia Town and Moach Goth and pelted vehicles with stones. As a result, the traffic, coming and going to Balochistan, was suspended. The youths expressed their anger by setting tyres on fire. Law enforcement agencies brought the situation under control after a few hours and opened the road for traffic.

Some youths took out a procession near Rexerlane in Lyari. As they were proceeding towards Nishtar Park in Garden police limits, they saw a colorful ceremony being held in connection with Pakistan’s Independence Day at a marriage hall. The angry youths pelted the hall with stones and snatched away national flags. Witnesses said that the youths set a national flag on fire while condemning the government action in Balochistan. However, there was no word on the incident by the police.

DIG Mushtaq Shah said that some youths from Malir and Mobina Town jointly reached Bahadurabad locality to force shopkeepers to close their shutters. However, the police tackled the situation and dispersed the angry youths.