SKARDU Eight people were injured in clashes between supporters of rival political parties in two different areas of Skardu district on Sunday.

In Gulabpur village, an MQM procession led by its winning candidate Raja Mohammad Azam Khan was pelted with stones by supporters of PPP candidate Imran Nadeem. Police immediately intervened and brought the situation under control.

A clash took place in Hussainabad village between supporters of PML-N and PPP. Eight people were injured.

According to witnesses, PPP leader Wazir Shakeel Ahmed, who has won the Skardu 3 seat, was coming to Skardu from Mehdiabad in a large car rally when some people shouted slogans against PML-N leader Fida Mohammad Nashad. Supporters of the PML-N leader pelted the PPP supporters with stones. People in the PPP rally hit back and the clash continued for several hours despite intervention by police who used batons and tear gas shells to disengage the rivals.

Skardu's Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Ali Yougvi said the injured people had been taken to the DHQ hospital.

Baltistan's Commissioner Asif Bilal Lodhi, deputy commissioner Mohammad Ali Yougvi, SSP Skardu and some noted Ulema and personnel of Northern Scouts played an important role in bringing the situation under control.

Allama Shaikh Mohammad Hassan Jafferi, the imam Imamia Jamia mosque, Skardu, convened a meeting of representatives of the two parties to reduce tension and restore peace.