Military killing of rebel tribal leader sparks massive rioting in Pakistan

HUNDREDS of rioters angered by the killing of a rebel Baluch tribal leader rampaged through a south-western Pakistani city yesterday, burning shops, banks and police vehicles.

Government forces killed Nawab Akbar Bugti, the most prominent leader in the rebellion by Baluch tribesmen, in a raid on his cave hideout in the mountainous area of the south-western provinces of Baluchistan. At least 24 suspected rebel supporters were also killed in a blow to the long-running ethnic resistance movement.

Police arrested 450 rioters who rampaged overnight through the city of Quetta, defying a round-the-clock curfew imposed yesterday, said Suleman Sayed, the city’s police chief.