Sectarian clashes leave seven dead in Rawalpindi

RAWALPINDI: Sectarian clashes in the garrison city Rawalpindi left seven people dead and over 30 injured on Friday as worshippers massed to mourn the seventh century martyrdom of Hazrat Imam Hussain (R.A).

The clashes erupted when a procession coincided with a sermon in a nearby mosque.

"The death toll from the clashes have reached seven people and 34 others are injured," Muhammad Shoaib, an official at Rawalpindi's district hospital, told AFP.

Police said private properties were also set on fire during the clashes."The clashes started when a sermon was being delivered from a mosque which was on the procession route.

Infuriated people attacked the mosque and also set fire to a cloth market," Waseem Ahmed, a police official said.

Another police official said shots rang out during the fighting and that the authorities were braced for further injuries.

"According to latest reports, gunshots were also fired during the clashes. We fear there will be more casualties," Muhammad Yasir, an official at a police control room, told AFP.

Media reports said large contingents of troops were deployed in the city following the clashes and forces used tear gas to disperse the rival groups.

According to AFP photo and video journalists, violent youths attacked rival groups and also broke the cameras of reporters who arrived on scene

Video footage also showed participants of the procession beating policemen.