HYDERABAD, Nov 18: Hatri police have picked-up seven suspects following the murder of a PPP supporter’s son at Hala Naka late on Monday night as a result of a dispute over a piece of land.

Noorul Hakeem Mehsud, son of Nasrullah Mehsud, a PPP supporter was gunned down by three persons in front of his office off National Highway. The murderers fled after committing the crime.

However, friends of Mehsud are reported to have identified the assailants as Din Mohammad alias Fauji Jatoi, Sarwar Jatoi and Hajan Jatoi.

SPO Chhalgari Mujahid Shah said that a land dispute existed between Jatois and Mehsuds and a jirga was also held to settle it on November 15 which was abruptly wound-up after the jirga organisers and arbiters failed to arrive at a consensus.

The dispute involves a piece of plot measuring a few thousands square foot at Hala Naka which was in possession of Jatois, who had set-up their cabin but it was removed by their opponents.

Mehsud claimed that the piece of land belonged to him on the basis of some documents. He had moved the court of law but still the issue remains unresolved.

Since the recently held jirga failed to resolve the controversy, it took a violent turn late last night and Noorul Hakeem was gunned down allegedly by his rivals.

No case so far could be lodged. Police have picked-up Fauji Jatoi, Sarwar Jatoi, Hajan Jati and four others.

Hala Naka is dominated by Pushtoon community and shops are mostly built on a section of National Highway and are believed to be encroachment.