LAHORE: Three men, including a father and his son, were killed while two others injured in a clash between two rival groups in Bekhaywal village, Iqbal Town, on Tuesday.

Armed men from both sides had a scuffle and later opened fire on each other over "a petty issue", police said.

Iqbal Town Circle Deputy Superintendent of Police Khalid Mahmood told Dawn what resulted in an exchange of gunfire was a dispute between the two groups who wanted to sustain their influence on the village.

He said a case under sections 302, 324, 148 and 149 of the Pakistan Penal Code was registered against members of both groups.

Those killed were identified as Muhammad Shafi, his son Nadeem and their opponent Malik Talib, who received bullet injuries and died at Mayo Hospital.

Shafi's other son Salim and a passerby, Zafar Shah, were injured during the clash and were stated to be out of danger, police and hospital sources said.

Investigation Officer Safdar said the rival groups after a fresh argument on Tuesday had a scuffle, which led to the killings. He said the police were investigating which group had started the quarrel and opened fire first.

He further said they were conducting raids to arrest the suspects who had fled.

FOUND DEAD: A scavenger was found dead in his house in Aitchison Colony on Tuesday.

The victim was identified as Muhammad Bashir, 48. His family found the body and alerted police.

Nawab Town police said unidentified persons entered the victim's house, shot him in the chest and fled from the scene.

Police started investigation and shifted the body to morgue for autopsy.

Published in Dawn, July 23rd, 2014