September 27, 2023

A rocket explosion in a house in katcha area of Kandhkot district claimed seven lives and injured six others. “A rocket exploded at a house in Shah Ali Sabzoi village in katcha area leaving seven people dead including four children,” local police said. “Six others were injured in the incident,” police said without elaborating details of the explosion. The injured were transferred to hospitals. The incident has caused a wave of panic and harassment in the area. SSP Kashmore district Rohail Khoso has said that the rocket shell was in the affected house. “Children hurled it in the stove resulting in deadly blast,” district police chief said. “Police has cordoned off the village and conducting a search operation,” police officer said. The family members of deceased and injured protested outside the hospital over absence of doctors in the medical facility. Caretaker Chief Minister of Sindh Maqbool Baqar while taking notice of the rocket launcher blast in katcha area of Kandhkot, has summoned report from the IG Police. “How the rocket shell reached in Sabzoi Goth. If a consignment of arms was being smuggled in katcha area,” Caretaker CM questioned the police chief. “Are there facilitators of bandits in the village,” he further questioned. “How the rocket exploded, claiming loss of several lives,” the CM further questioned. “I want a detailed report of the incident,” Justice Baqar directed the Sindh Police chief. The Sindh government has decided to launch a law enforcement operation in katcha areas (riverine forests) along the Indus River in upper Sindh districts to curb bandit gangs and other outlaws involved in rampant kidnapping for ransom and other crimes in the region. Sindh Caretaker Chief Minister Justice (retd) Maqbool Baqar last Friday okayed a comprehensive joint operation by Pakistan Army and Sindh Rangers’ against dacoits in the katcha area of Sukkur and Larkana divisions. Source:https://www.nation.com.pk/27-Sep-2023/eight-killed-four-wounded-as-rocket-launcher-s-mortar-explodes-in-kandhkot

Swedish police are investigating a fire that burned down a mosque in Eskilstuna, central Sweden, as a possible case of arson. The blaze occurred on Monday, causing extensive damage to the mosque, but fortunately, no injuries were reported. In a statement on their website, the police said “The investigation into the fire is continuing. Police will question witnesses and verify whether there were security cameras in the area.” Police have not made any arrests and are currently seeking witnesses and examining security camera footage in their ongoing investigation. “The mosque is almost completely destroyed, nothing can be saved,” mosque spokesman Anas Deneche told AFP. Deneche mentioned that the mosque had been targeted in previous incidents of violence over the past year, and his family had faced threats. However, he emphasised the need to wait for the police to complete their investigation before drawing any conclusions about the cause of the fire. Approximately 15,000 to 20,000 Muslims reside in Eskilstuna, making the mosque an essentially religious and community centre for local residents. Source:https://www.nation.com.pk/27-Sep-2023/after-qurans-mosque-burned-into-ashes-in-sweden-police-launch-arson-probe

At least 100 people died in a fire at a wedding celebration in Iraq’s northern Nineveh province, local authorities said Wednesday. Another 500 people were injured in the fire, which broke out at Al Haytham Wedding Hall in Al-Hamdaniya district, local media reported, citing Ahmed Hamdani, deputy director of the Mosul Health Department. There were 800 people at the wedding hall when the fire broke out, according to reports. The Iraqi News Agency (INA) said the fire was caused by fireworks, candles and other materials used during the event. Fire brigades and ambulances from surrounding provinces were dispatched to area. Interior Minister Abdul Amir Al-Shammari also headed to the region. Footage of the fire breaking out while the bride and groom were dancing was widely circulated on social media, also showing people running left and right in panic. Source:https://www.nation.com.pk/27-Sep-2023/at-least-100-killed-in-fire-at-wedding-celebration-in-northern-iraq