Clashes claim 11 lives in Pakistan provincial elections, Army called in

Islamabad, Nov 1: Army troops were called in at a district in southern Pakistan after clashes between political rivals claimed 11 lives on Saturday, officials said.

Several others were injured when activists of the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) and Pakistan Muslim League-Functional fought face to face in Khairpur district of Sindh province, where the PPP rules.

The fight took place after the first round of local government elections were held in a relatively peaceful atmosphere in parts of Sindh and eastern Punjab province.

However, the bloody clashes occurred shortly over claims of fraud by rivals.

Army troops were deployed at the request of the local administration to maintain peace in the area, a senior official in the area said.

Polling was also suspended after the incident, election officials said.

All major political parties took part in the elections for the first time in the country's history. Local elections were previously held on a non-party basis.

There were minor incidents of scuffle also in Punjab province, according to police.

IANS