RAWALPINDI - Authorities have imposed a curfew for 24 hours in parts of Rawalpindi after sectarian clashes erupted at a Muharram 10 procession near Fawara Chowk, that left at least 10 people dead and
The 24 hour curfew has been imposed within the limits of 19 Rawalpindi police stations. The curfew will also extend to Rawal Town and Potohar Town.
Rawalpindi city police and a large number of army troops are now patrolling various areas in the city. Meanwhile, cellular services will remain suspended in the city.
According to reports, containers are being also placed in Faizabad to block Murree Road while security has been tightened at all worship places of the city. Emergency has also been declared in all hospitals.
The tragedy occurred as mob turned against the police in the procession passing through Raja Bazaar in Pindi on Friday.
As Shia Muslims massed to mourn, a group of miscreants at 3:00pm reportedly snatched guns from police personnel installed in the area for security, and opened fire.
As panic spread, unknown people set a portion of the cloth market in Raja Bazaar on fire.
The situation soon got out of hand and the army was called in to control the situation.
“The clashes started when a sermon was being delivered from a Sunni mosque on the way of the procession route. The infuriated Shias attacked the mosque and also put a cloth market at fire,” police official Waseem Ahmed claimed.
A large contingent of fire brigades, rescue teams and as many as six army companies were summoned to control the situation.
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