December 18, 2006	Monday	Ziqa'ad 26, 1427

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ISLAMABAD, Dec 17: A property dealer was shot and killed by his friend who was firing in the air in jubilation on Sunday night, police said. However, the father of the deceased lodged a complaint with the police stating that it was a planned murder.

Raja Basharat Abbasi, 42, died after Raja Arsalan Hyder, also a property dealer, started firing in the air in Sector I- 8/4.

Police said both the deceased and the accused had come to I- 8/4 to attend a get-together organised by Basharat Abbasi’s brother-in-law. Later they came out on the street along with some other friends where Mr Hyder started firing in the air. As a result Mr Abbasi was hit by several bullets, including one to his head, which claimed his life.

Sources claim that at the time of the incident, both the deceased and the accused were under the influence of alcohol. Mr Hyder managed to escape from the scene leaving behind his bag.

The police took the bag in its custody and found magazines of a 222 rifle and its licence.

A murder case was registered against Raja Arsalan Hyder on the complaint of Basharat’s father, Abdul Sattar.

Raja Arsalan Hyder had earlier been arrested in connection with an attack on his rival, Ali Raza, in F-8/3 in October, however he was released on bail.

Meanwhile, police found a body of a man floating in a water tank in I-9/2.

Javed Iqbal, 25, a resident of Kharian, was found dead in a water tank situated in Potohar Steel Mills where he worked.

The incident came to light when his colleague spotted his body in the tank and informed the police.

The police reached the spot and shifted the body to Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (Pims). No marks of injuries were found on the body which seems to be two days old, police said.