30 dead in new Karachi violence

Much of the fighting erupted in and around the old district of Lyari, long a focus of spats between rival gangs and a stronghold of President Asif Ali Zardari'a Pakistan People's Party (PPP).

A former PPP lawmaker was among the dead.

An official at the city's main government hospital put the death toll at 30 over the past 24 hours. Nineteen bodies had been brought in since Wednesday evening.

"Most of the killings have resulted from clashes between criminal gangs operating in Lyari and surrounding areas," a senior police official said.

"It's not the kind of fighting that we saw last month, this is more of a gang war."

But police said turf wars between gangs dealing in drugs and extortion rackets were by no means a new development in Lyari.

"These gangs regularly clash and kill members and supporters of rival groups," the senior official said.

"Many times, innocent people are also targeted in this rivalry. However, many of those killed end up linked to one gang or the other. Some of these gangs do have political support and backing, but still you cannot term this as a political war as such."

He acknowledged that "a few" of those killed may have been targeted over their ethnic or political affiliation.

A city of more than 18 million, Karachi has a long history of violence, and ethnic, religious and sectarian disputes and political rows can often explode into battles engulfing entire neighbourhoods; Kazinform cites China Daily.

To learn more go to www.chinadaily.com.cn