MULTAN, June 16: Five people, including a woman, were gunned down in a ‘shootout’ between two rival groups over a land dispute near Shujabad on Thursday. Reports reaching here said Nazar Muhammad Baloch and Shakir had a dispute over a piece of 3.5 acres of land in Rasoolpur village, in Shujabad Sadar police area.

Police said initial investigation transpired that Shakir had sold the disputed land to Nazar Baloch some time ago but later changed his mind and started pressing the former to vacate it. The matter went into the litigation and Nazar secured a stay order from the court against any trespassing/interference on the land until final resolution. Shakir allegedly hired services of criminal Abdul Jabbar, who hailed from the adjoining Lodhran district. police said Shakir and Jabbar along with their accomplices tried to take possession of the controversial piece of land.

Upon resistance from the other side, they opened fire and killed Nazar Baloch, Haneef, Shaukat and Hasina Mai while Abdul Razzaq, Sher Muhammad, Lateef, Khadim Hussain and Amna Mai sustained injuries in the attack.

Later, Jabbar also sustained bullet injuries and died on the spot. The police said prima facie there took place no shootout because Nazar and his family were reported to have no arms while Jabbar was shot dead by Shakir and others only to paint the incident as exchange of fire that claimed lives on both sides.