KARACHI, July 4: At least 1,257 people, including 135 political activists, have been killed in different parts of the city since the beginning of the year, stated a Human Rights Commission of Pakistan report released here on Wednesday.

Of the victims, 27 were shot dead in sectarian attacks, 84 in Lyari gang warfare, 42 in armed robberies, eight in bomb blasts and 11 on the pretext of honour, it added.

The number of killings during the six months has increased this year, as last year a total of 1,138 people were killed during the corresponding period.

Also, at least 44 policemen were killed in the city in different incidents this year.

Of the killings related to the law-enforcement agencies, 48 were killed in police encounters and three died in police custody.

According to the HRCP report, 24 women were killed during this period by relatives, 12 by unidentified culprits, four were burnt to death, four others were killed in Lyari gang warfare, another four were killed by robbers, 12 on the pretext of karo-kari and one each killed by a stray bullet, due to drug addiction and in bomb blast.

During these six months, the city also witnessed the killing of 64 children.

Eleven of them were killed by stray bullets, seven targeted killings; seven falling into canal/drains; five abducted and killed; six abducted, raped and killed; four killed in Lyari gang warfare; five by robbers, five over personal enmity; two were killed after ransom payment, two on railway tracks and one by a paramilitary soldier, while the bodies of seven newborns were found in different parts of the city between January 1 and June 30.

Other reasons that claimed many lives included tainted wine that killed 16 people and drug addiction that left five people dead.

Besides, 12 people were killed on railway tracks in different incidents.—PPI