Staff Report

GUJRANWALA: Consequent to fierce clashes, featuring pelting stones and firing between armed groups in Sialkot and Gujranwala, up to 10 clashers were injured and at least 35 were booked for resorting to panic, police sources said.  

Meanwhile in Mansehra, a man was killed and another seven were injured.

CPO Gujranwala told media two rival groups clashed in Shahrukh Colony of Baghbanpura with adversaries being pelted with stones and firing, causing up to six people to receive injuries. Wounded have been hospitalized, he said.

Meanwhile, heavy police contingents, having seized control over the entire haunted area, took at least nine suspected offenders under arrest. The wave of panic and tension has blanketed the locality, sources described, adding that police have managed to establish several checkpoints to keep the situation under control.

In Sialkot, on the other hand, four clashers were injured after being hit by stones amid fierce skirmishes over trivial disputes, prompting police officials to place strict cordon around the area. Injured have now been discharged from hospital after treatment, sources claimed.

Also, at least 26 alleged lawbreakers were thrown behind the bars but police have yet to book them under any case, witnesses said adding that, ferocious mob subsequently blocked a  main road and set tires on fire in protest against incompetence and negligence of police department for failing to register any case against the lawbreakers

In Mansehra, a man was reportedly killed and seven injured amid armed clashes between two rival groups near Punjab Chowke at Shahrah-e-Karakoram. Shortly after the offense, police resorted to aerial firing and shelling to scatter the furious mob.

A large number of security men stand guard in the locality now to thwart any eventuality. SAMAA