KARACHI - Assailants fatally shot a murder suspect at a court in southern Pakistan on Thursday, sparking a gunbattle with police that left another prisoner dead and wounded six more people, police said. Six other prisoners who had been awaiting trial at the court in Naushero Feroz, a town about 250 kilometers (150 miles) northeast of Karachi, fled in the chaos, and police are hunting for them, said Sikandar Magsi, a local police official. Sarwar Rind, who was suspected in the murders of the 10 people arising from a family feud, was gunned down outside the court on his way to a hearing. Police suspect Rind's rivals were behind the attack. | "You killed my pa! Take that!" |
The shooting caused panic inside the courtroom. Some prisoners seized guns from police and took them and court staff hostage| ."Muggsy, dis is our chance! Let's bust outta dis joint!" |
One prisoner was killed and three others were then injured in an exchange of fire with police, Magsi said. Three police officers were also wounded before police managed to overpower the prisoners and regain control, he said. Police are still hunting for the six prisoners who went missing after the shootout, he said. |