Unknown gunmen opened fire near the main Youm-e-Ali procession which was passing through Bolton Market in Karachi.
No casualties were reported in the incident; however, the participants of the procession started protesting and pelted stones at police and Rangers. The police resorted to aerial firing to disperse the protesters.
The clash between the protesters and police officials continued for a long time.
The martyrdom anniversary of Hazrat Ali (RA), also known as Youm-e-Ali, was observed across the country on Friday with religious processions being taken out amid strict security arrangements.
In Lahore, the procession began from Mubarak Haveli, which, after passing through several places, ended at Karbala Gamay Shah in the evening.
The procession in Hyderabad emerged from Imam Bargah Dadan Shah and ended at Qadamgah Mola Ali at around Maghrib. Similar processions were also taken out in Karachi and Rawalpindi.
All police holidays were suspended and the cities were put on red alert to ensure security during the processions.
DSPs and SHOs in all areas were ordered to patrol their areas and carry out snap-checking and surprise-checking during the day.
Firing near Yaum-e-Ali procession in Karachi, no casualties reported
