Three killed in firing

By Our Correspondent GILGIT, Dec 12: Three persons were killed and seven others injured when the city of Gilgit saw pitched battle on Wednesday. Two weeks back, a student group at the Karakorum University had announced to hold a function at the campus but the university administration refused to give them permission. Fearing a clash between the rival groups the KIU administration closed the institution. When the university reopened on Wednesday, the group of students announced to go ahead with holding of the function. However, its rival group in protest opened a protest camp outside the chief minister house at Chinar Bagh. In the evening, the law enforcing agencies reportedly opened fire in order to stop a possible clash between the protesting students at the camp and those returning from the university. As a result, some anti-peace elements also opened fire. The firing led to the killing of a ban employee identified as Obaidulla of Kashrot, who was passing by on a motorcycle died. An elite force personnel, Abid Karim from Hunza, and police constable Zamir Abbas also sustained a bullet injury and later succumbed to their injuries. The exchange of fire continued in the area for hours and the law enforcement agencies during this period remained out of sight, giving a free hand to law breakers to continue fighting each others. The city wore a deserted look and people remained indoors in fear.     ]]>