KARACHI - As many as 10 people were killed and several others sustained critical injuries in Lyari after an armed clash between local residents and gangsters on Tuesday. As per reports, operatives of Lyari gangster Rehman Dacoit and activists of different political and non-political organisations used sophisticated weapons, including rockets, against each other in the clashes. Fierce fighting between them paralysed routine life and business activities in the area and forced the ordinary citizens to stay indoor. Heavy contingents of the law-enforcers including police and paramilitary Rangers reached the spot but were unable to control the situation. Well-informed sources told The Nation, that extortion money was the main reason behind the clash. It is pertinent to mention here that powerful gangster Rehman Dakait has taken up the control of entire Lyari Town after compromise with his principal rival in the area, Ghaffar Zikri. Dakait had recently formed 'Peace Committees and opened his offices in various areas of Lyari. Sources further said that other smaller gangs and the local residents opposed the influence of Rehman Dakait in Lyari which led to armed clashes between them. People belonging to different of ethnic groups, including Gujrati, Kathiyawari, Katchi Memon, Sindhi, Mianwali and Niazi, have joined hands against Rehman Dakait. They also enjoy the backing of different political organisations such as Jeay Sindh Qaumi Mohaz (JSQM), Punjabi Pakhtoon Ittehad (PPI) and Sunni Tehreek (ST). Sources further said the residents of different areas of Lyari Town including Hangorabad, Nayabad, Bihar Colony and Agra Taj Colony stood up against Dakait and declined to follow instructions from his peace committees. On Monday night, two persons, Anwar and Nadeem Akhtar, were shot dead in crossfire at Shah Abdul Latif Bhittai Road while six others were killed on Tuesday. They included 12-year-old Amna, daughter of Ibrahim, Mahin, daughter of Rajab Ali, Sajid, Adam Hashim and Asad Bux. Meanwhile, seven-year-old Ayazullah, son of Salamatullah, was killed while eight of his family members and neighbours, including women and children, sustained serious injuries when a rocket, fired by members of the Dakait Gang, landed into the house of Abdul Rasheed, located near Saddam Chowk, Machchar Colony. Among wounded people were Rasheeda Bibi, Khadija, Hafiza Bibi, Munawara Bibi, Nimra and Sitara Bibi. The rocket was fired from Hangorabad. Deceased and the injured persons were taken to Civil Hospital, Karachi, where emergency had been declared. Talking to The Nation, Lyari Town SP Rana Pervez Mehmood said that ethnic rivalry was the main reason behind the fresh incidents of violence in the area. He added that local residents had killed two operatives of the Dakait Gang which resulted in a bloody clash on Tuesday.