Death toll hits 100

Hundreds of people stranded by five days of violence in this Pakistani port city were today rescued by paramilitary forces as continued ethnic clashes claimed 100 lives.

Hundreds of people stranded by five days of violence in this Pakistani port city were on Saturday rescued by paramilitary forces as continued ethnic clashes claimed 100 lives.

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Thousands of people have been stuck in the violence-hit areas of the city unable to move out as groups of heavily-armed people traded fire rockets at each other, paralysing the country's financial capital.

"We are moving the families to safe places and the exercise continues. Rangers troops helped mainly people in Qasba Colony and adjoining areas," a paramilitary Rangers spokesman said.

Five more people were killed in the overnight incident of firing, taking the death toll to 100, police sources said. on Friday 30 people were killed on the fourth day of violence.

Several stranded people told local TV channels that they could not eat for four days as all roads had been closed and they could not go out because of continued firing.

"I am taking food to my family members after four days as routes are opened now," a resident of Qasba Colony, the most affected area, told reporters on Saturday.

Paramilitary Rangers took positions late last night in the most affected areas -- Orangai town, Qasba Colony and Kati Pahari and started "targeted actions" and also detained several people, police said.