KHAIRPUR, April 27: Three cabins were set on fire in Phool Bagh area on Thursday night and three shops were ransacked on Friday in what has been described here as tit-for-tat attacks by rival sects.

Nine people were injured when police used tear gas shells to disperse youths who had set ablaze the office of a cellphone company and two shops in Phool Bagh area.

They also damaged a shop in Shahi bazaar and tried to ransack a restaurant in Khaki Shah Pul area but were dispersed by law-enforcement personnel.

Eight of the injured were identified as Inayat Khaskheli, Farman Ghanghro, Sohail Shah, Qambar Shah, Tanvir Channa, Danyal Shaikh, Bashir Rajpar and Imran Shaikh. The ninth was constable Akhtar Mangi who suffered minor injuries.

Later, men belonging to the rival sect also demonstrated. Incidents of firing in some areas caused panic and led to closure of markets.

SSP Irfan Baloch and Rangers officials patrolled the city in a motorcade and police appealed to people on loudspeakers to remain calm. They warned of stern action against anyone breaking the law the law.

Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Abbas Baloch denied rumours about imposition of curfew.

Police sources said the situation had been brought under control and police had been deployed in Phool Bagh, Khaki Shah Pul, Panj Gulla chowk and other areas.