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Friday, December 28, 2007
By our correspondents
ISLAMABAD: Violence broke out all over the country following the assassination of Pakistan People’s Party Chairperson Benazir Bhutto Thursday. The paramilitary and police forces were put on the highest “red alert” level, the interior ministry said.
“The security was already high nationwide, but we have further alerted the police and paramilitary forces,” Ministry spokesman Javed Iqbal Cheema told AFP. “The security is at red alert level across Pakistan,” he said. Streets in federal capital presented a deserted look as the people glued to the television soon after the news of the killing of country’s largest political party’s leader.
RAWALPINDI: Murree road, the main artery in Rawalpindi suffered the major wrath of the angry mob and PPP activists who burnt tyres, damaged public and private properties, and burnt vehicles.
Rawalpindi residents who were returning home from Islamabad had tough time to reach their homes. Reportedly, some of them even could not make it and had to stay in Islamabad as the protestors blocked the major arteries.
LAHORE: Benazir Bhutto’s killing in a suicide attack in Rawalpindi ignited violence in the provincial metropolis on Thursday as mob came on city roads in protest and damaged public and private property.
Countless big and small bands of PPP activists came on roads in various parts of the city and created a law and order nightmare and even riot police failed to control the situation. A police source told The News that at least nine vehicles including three police personnel carriers were set ablaze in various parts of the city. At least three people were reportedly killed and dozens were injured in the violence.
Several groups of protesters roamed the city on vehicles carrying batons as they brought down sign boards displayed at shops and hotels besides damaging vehicles. An angry mob set ablaze a police personnel carrier and a private bus in front of Lahore Press Club. The infuriated protesters carrying PPP flags blocked the road leading to Muslim League House and Queen Marry College. They chanted slogans against the government and set tyres ablaze.
Another group of enraged PPP activists uprooted signs boards at Edgerton Road and burnt tyres, registering their resentment against the brutal killing of Benazir Bhutto. A group of PP activists gathered at Old Anarkali and fired in the air and set the tyres ablaze in protest. The furious protesters also damaged shops at the Food Street and burnt tyres.
A band of protesters staged a protest demonstration in front of Aysha Degree College Ravi Road and fired shots in the air. The protesters blocked traffic in protest and burnt tyres. An angry mob set two busses ablaze in Hunjarwal area, while a bus was set on fire at Bagrian Chowk. The protesters blocked traffic, partially damaged private vehicles and burnt tyres.
Indiscriminate aerial firing was witnessed in Santnagar as an infuriated mob came on roads after learning about the death of Benazir Bhutto. Local shopkeepers closed down their business to avoid damage at the hands of protesters.
The Mall and Hall Road traders also closed down their business witnessing unusual movement of mob on The Mall. A group of protesters blocked traffic in Shahdara area, venting their anger over the death of Benazir Bhutto. The demonstrators burnt tyres, damaged public and private property and chanted anti-government slogans. According to an unconfirmed report, a man lost his life in Shahdara area as well.
Some demonstrators attacked cell phone shops at Hafeez Centre and smashed the showcases with stones and bricks. An angry mob came on roads in Garhi Shahu area and staged a protest demonstration against the killing of Benazir Bhutto. Demonstrators fired shots in the air, blocked the roads and burnt tyres.
It was reported that an indiscriminate firing by the protesters at the rear side of Lahore Fort claimed life of a man. Another man reportedly lost his life in Green Town area at the hands of the protesters.
Meanwhile, Rangers have been deployed at sensitive installation and building including the Governor’s House and the Chief Minister’s House after police failed to keep law and order. Various policemen wearing anti-riot uniform were witnessed as silent spectators as they did not take action against demonstrators damaging public and private property in front of them.
Incidents of violence were also reported in the areas of South Cantonment area, Shadbagh, Baghbanpura, Mughalpura and Misri Shah.
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ISSN 1563-9479 
