Two killed, five injured in Bhakkar clash linked to social media dispute

BHAKKAR: Two young men were killed and five others injured in an armed clash in Bhakkar after a dispute that police said began on social media escalated into violence.

According to police, the incident took place on Gudwala Darya Khan Road in the jurisdiction of Sadar Bhakkar Police Station. Officials said a verbal altercation between two groups of youths, said to have started on TikTok and other social media platforms, intensified before both sides exchanged fire.

Police identified the two dead as Shiraz and Zohaib, with one person from each group losing his life in the shooting. Five other people were wounded. After being informed of the incident, police teams reached the spot, brought the situation under control and shifted the injured to hospital for treatment.

Following the clash, authorities approved the setting up of a permanent police post at the District Headquarters Hospital to reinforce security and improve emergency response arrangements. A notification issued by District Police Officer Shahzad Rafiq Awan said the post would be manned by seven personnel, including one female officer and six male officers.

The police said the measure was intended to strengthen security at the hospital and support action during emergencies. DPO Awan later visited DHQ Hospital, where he met the injured. He said police teams were carrying out raids at different locations to arrest those involved in the clash and added that the suspects would be brought to justice.

The DPO also said the permanent police post at the hospital would improve security arrangements, provide a safer environment for doctors and other healthcare workers and support a more effective quick-response mechanism in future emergency or violent situations.

Deputy Commissioner Ehsan Ali Jamali also visited DHQ Hospital along with DPO Awan. SP Investigation Shaukat Ali, Chief Executive Officer Health and Population Dr Mazhar Abbas Khan, doctors and paramedical staff were present during the visit. Officials reviewed security arrangements at the hospital and discussed issues being faced by the medical staff.