Death toll hits 100 in Karachi; forces rescue trapped people

Karachi, Jul 9: Hundreds of people stranded by five days of violence in this Pakistani port city were today (Jul 9) rescued by paramilitary forces as continued ethnic clashes claimed 100 lives.

Thousands of people have been stuck in the violence- hit areas of the city unable to move out as groups of heavily-armed people traded fire rockets at each other, paralysing the country's financial capital.

"We are moving the families to safe places and the exercise continues. Rangers troops helped mainly people in Qasba Colony and adjoining areas," a paramilitary Rangers spokesman said.

Five more people were killed in the overnight incident of firing, taking the death toll to 100, police sources said. On Friday 30 people were killed on the fourth day of violence.

Several stranded people told local TV channels that they could not eat for four days as all roads had been closed and they could not go out because of continued firing.

"I am taking food to my family members after four days as routes are opened now," a resident of Qasba Colony, the most affected area, told reporters today.

Hundreds of families had been trapped in Qasba Colony and adjoining areas amid no power and water supply. Many families were willing to abandon their homes even at the risk of their properties being taken over by miscreants, but could not do so for fear of life because of the intense firing.

Paramilitary Rangers took positions late last night in the most affected areas -- Orangai town, Qasba Colony and Kati Pahari and started "targeted actions" and also detained several people, police said.

PTI