MUZAFFARABAD: Tension gripped the town of Samahni in Bhimber, the southernmost district of Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) on Sunday after the brother of AJK minister shot and wounded a young man in Samahni Bazaar.

Official sources told Dawn that Chaudhry Mazhar Iqbal, who is the brother of revenue minister Chaudhry Ali Shan Soni, shot Raja Sohaib Habib at about 11:30 am after a brief altercation.

The bullet pierced through the lower abdomen of the victim, who was taken to the District Headquarter Hospital in Mirpur, which is a two-hour drive. Due to excessive bleeding, his condition was reported to be critical.

The accused, who was allegedly riding an official car, fled from the scene and has not yet been arrested.

Witnesses said the accused and the victim had also exchanged hot words a few days ago. The victim is an office bearer of MSF, Pakistan Muslim League-N’s student wing.

Soon after the incident, Rajputs of the victim’s clan blocked Samahni-Bhimber and Samahni-Mirpur roads and burnt tyres. They also pelted some shops with stones.

Bhimber local administration brought the mob under control and cleared the roads.

Published in Dawn, November 10th, 2014