RAWALPINDI: A man was killed in after a land dispute between two groups turned violent on Bhatta Chowk in the Girja union council on Saturday.

The deceased was identified as Malik Mazhar, son of Malik Shaukat. The police have claimed to have arrested two men on the charges of killing Mazhar and recovered a weapon from them.

According to police, the clash took place in the limits of the Naseerabad police. They said members of both parties were firing automatic weapons. The firing caused panic in the area, with traders shutting down their businesses and locals staying indoors.

The police said Mr Shaukat had sold land to Raja Waqas, the owner of a construction company, at a very low rate a few years ago.

The original land owner had later raised the price of the land and attempted to take it back from Mr Waqas, leading to an armed clash between both parties.

Many residents claimed the firing had continued for nearly an hour and a half.

A police contingent led by SP Potohar Division Syed Ali and DSP Cantt Circle Farhan Aslam also arrived at the scene of the clash, recorded eyewitness statements and collected evidence.

The body of the deceased was moved to the District Headquarters Hospital for a post-mortem examination.

A police official said the deceased was killed in an armed clash between two groups over a land dispute. Two men were arrested in connection with the murder, and a 12-bore rifle was recovered from their possession.

The father of the deceased has lodged a complaint with the police accusing Raja Waqas and others of killing his son, and a case will be registered after a medico-legal report is issued, he said.

Published in Dawn, May 20th, 2018