Pakistan-India Tensions May Have Caused Virginia Brawl
Ongoing Pakistani-Indian dispute suspected in Tuesday night fight
AP
Tension between the countries may have manifested in Leesburg.
LEESBURG, Va. -- A brawl in Leesburg Tuesday night may be the result of long-standing tension between Pakistan and India, police said.
Officers responded to a report of a large fight in progress in the 400 block of Evans Ridge Terrace NE at about 9:30 p.m. Tuesday. At least 20 people reportedly were involved in the fight, but most scattered, according to the Leesburg Police Department.
"It appears that there was a group of folks out of Pakistan descent, and another group of people of Indian descent," said Officer Chris Jones.
Officers found seven male victims of Pakistani descent, ages 14 to 24, suffering injuries including lacerations, contusions, concussions and broken bones, police said. Investigators believe the injuries were cause by cricket bats, metal pipes, hands and fists.
"Basically a crime scene of cricket bats and bats to metal rods and pipes lying around in a parking lot in front of this apartment," Jones said.
A 24-year-old victim injured in the brawl said he was just about to go inside his home when four or five cars showed up and the fighting started. He said two other victims -- his cousin and brother, both 15-year-olds who attend Heritage High School -- told him the bad blood between the groups may be a carry over from tensions between the countries of their birth.
The victims were taken to Loudoun Hospital Center.
Posted Thursday, Sep 10, 2009 - 4:02 PM EST
