KARACHI – The police on Friday arrested 17 suspects following a deadly shootout between rival factions of the Bugti clan which left five people dead and two others injured.
The fight took place late night on Thursday near the residence of Ali Haider Bugti in Defence Housing Authority’s (DHA) Khayaban-i-Nishat.
Fahad Ahmed Nawaz Bugti and Ali Haider Bugti were two groups who allegedly got engaged in violence.
Among the deceased was Fahad Bugti, 50, who was a nephew of the late Baloch chieftain Nawab Akbar Khan Bugti. Ali Haider Bugti, also a maternal nephew of the chieftain, sustained injuries during the clash.
The shootout began around 11:25 p.m. on Thursday in DHA’s Nishat Commercial Lane 10, under the jurisdiction of the Darakhshan police station. The violence led to the deaths of Fahad Bugti and 35-year-old Naseebullah Bugti from one faction, while Mir Ali Haider Bugti’s sons, Meer Mohsin Bugti and Mir Essa Bugti, along with their gunman, Ali, were killed from the opposing group.
Ali Haider Bugti and his associate Qaim Ali Qadir were injured and received treatment at AKUH.
Post-mortem examinations on the deceased were conducted at Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre and Civil Hospital Karachi which revealed multiple gunshot wounds.
The two injured Bugti family members were taken to Aga Khan University Hospital (AKUH) for medical treatment, and police have been assigned to guard them as they are considered key figures in the ongoing investigation.
Deputy Inspector-General (DIG) South, Asad Raza, clarified that four people were killed, not three as initially reported, and confirmed that two individuals were injured. The police acted swiftly, and arrested 17 people associated with the Bugti clan including two armed men.
“These arrests were made in two stages. Eight suspects were detained immediately after the incident, with the remaining individuals apprehended early Friday morning,” he added.
Fahad Bugti’s faction claimed they were attacked first by Ali Haider and his associates, and prompted them to defend themselves.
On the other hand, Ali Haider’s group said they were the initial targets.
DIG Raza said that CCTV footage showed Fahad Bugti and his men leaving his residence in luxury vehicles, while Ali Haider Bugti, traveling in a single vehicle with his associates, collided with Fahad’s car.
The collision followed by fierce fighting between the two groups.