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Army out as riots erupt in Karachi

The Pakistan army was called out following riots in eastern districts of Karachi on Sunday, following the assassination of five Sunni Muslim leaders.

Pakistan's Dawn newspaper said that armed troops in military vehicles blocked a six-kilometre stretch from the airport to Shah Faisal Colony.

Residents said thousands had gathered outside a mosque for the burial of the Islamic scholars, at a graveyard late Sunday night.

Before the rituals, mobs set fire to two cinemas, a beauty parlour and around 20 vehicles, including two police vans.

They also tried to attack a mosque of the minority Shiite sect.

At least 12 people with bullet wounds were admitted to hospital after an exchange of gunfire between supporters of the Sunni Muslim's Swade Azam party and people inside the mosque.

Shops and markets were closed as police fired tear gas to disperse hundreds of students who blocked the roads by burning tyres and pelted stones on buses and trucks.

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