SIALKOT, March 28: As many as 16 persons died on Thursday evening, after taking toxic wine in Sialkot city and on its outskirts.

Officials sources said the alcoholic drink was purchased from the two notorious drug pushers of the area, namely Zulfiqar Ali of Capital Road and Mohammad Alam Usmani of Muhallah Shah Syedan. Usmani and his brother were also among the victims.

Witnesses told police that some of the drinkers died in seconds after consuming the hooch.

Police identified the dead as Habib of village Dhalleywali, Mohammad Boota of Arazi Yaqoob area, Hameedullah Bhatti and his brother Zahoor Ahmad Bhatti of Green Wood Street, Mohammad Alam Usmani (drug pusher) and his brother Saleem Usmani, Ismail Bhatti of Muhallah Shah Syedan, Mohammad Shoaib of Hajipura, Mohammad Iqbal of Jundar Bazar, Mohammad Boota of Gudam Mandi, Abid Hussain of village Kakeywali, Naseer Ahmad of Muhallah Miyanapura, Muhammad Saleem and Abdul Majeed of Muhallah Deputy Bagh, Hameedullah and Malik Tanveer.

Abdul Rahseed of Miyanapura was admitted to Sialkot Civil Hospital in critical condition.

On his report, Muradpur Police have registered a case against Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto. The police said the toll might rise.