14 Killed as Heavy Rains Sweep Across Pakistan

Heavy rains that swept across Pakistan brought down more than 100 homes and caved in a factory wall, killing at least 14 people in the downpours Saturday, officials said.


The rains caused about 120 houses to collapse in different areas of northwest Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, killing at least eight people, said Latifur Rehman, a provincial disaster management spokesman.

In southwest Baluchistan province, heavy rain caused the wall of a factory to buckle in the town of Hub, killing six people, including four children, police officer Hidayat Baluch said. Three people were injured, he said.

Also Saturday, police said unknown gunmen ambushed and killed four police officers in their patrol vehicle overnight in the restive southern port city of Karachi.

The four officers were on night duty near a bridge in the eastern neighbourhood of Faisal Colony, senior police officer Tahir Naveed said. Investigators found their bodies inside the vehicle, which had been sprayed with pistol and rifle fire. The overnight attack seemed intended to demoralize the police force, Naveed said.

Karachiis home to multiple conflicts that frequently turn violent, including gang wars and ethnic and political rivalries. Islamic militants also use the city as a hiding place and a source of fundraising through bank heists, extortion and kidnappings for ransom, reports The Associated Press.