NAWABSHAH, July 21: A man stated to be a central leader of the Jamat-ud-Dawa, Maulvi Abdul Raheem Cheema, and an armed suspect, Ahmed Chandio, were killed in an exchange of fire during an alleged robbery attempt in old Nawabshah on Saturday.

Three other persons were wounded in the shooting.

Police said Noora Brohi aka Dawood Brohi, said to be son of a local Pakistan People’s Party leader, Nazeer Brohi, with his three associates barged into the house of Bashir Arain with intention to commit a robbery. However, the inmates posed strong resistance and a gun battle ensued.Maulvi Cheema, a resident of Mureedke, Punjab, had come to visit Mr Arain, the police said, adding that both men, Mr Arain’s nephew, Talha, and two of the armed suspects, Noora Brohi and Ahmed Chandio were wounded in the exchange of fire.

Police shifted the wounded men to the People’s Medical University Hospital, where Ahmed Chandio was declared dead on arrival while Maulvi Cheema succumbed to his wounds a little later.

The JuD leader’s body was sent to his native village after a post-mortem examination.

Meanwhile, JuD activists and supporters held a demonstration outside the local press club against the killing of Maulvi Cheema.

They urged the authorities to institute an inquiry to ascertain facts behind the incident.

At the PMUH, local PPP leaders, activists and supporters gathered in a large number to inquire after the health of Noora Brohi.

Nawabshah police have booked Ahmed Chandio and Noora Brohi in a murder and attempted robbery case.