GUJRANWALA, July 28: A candidate for the office of general councillor of Aroop Town was shot dead while his supporter seriously injured by rival panel over an election row on Thursday.

Abbas Virk was siting in his election office in Buteranwali village along with his supporters when his rival candidate Arshad, Aslam, Noor Husain and Sarwer Gujjar opened fire on them after an exchange of hot words. Abbas died on the spot, while his supporter Ashraf, 22, sustained injuries. He was referred to the Mayo Hospital in Lahore due to his serious condition.

It is the first murder of the local bodies election in Gujranwala. Aroop police have registered a case.

Two injured: Residents foiled a dacoity bid at the house of a property dealer while two people, including a gangster, were injured during an exchange of fire in Ilyas Colony here on Thursday.

Reports said two dacoits entered the house of Karamat Ali. On raising an alarm by the women, people of the area gathered there as a result of which the bandits managed to escape.

Some citizens chased the dacoits who opened fire. During a shootout, citizen Asif Khan and dacoit Muhammad Asif alias Asso sustained injuries. The police reached the spot and arrested him.

The injured was shifted to civil hospital.

The police have registered a case and are investigating.

SHOT DEAD: A man was shot dead by dacoits on offering resistance here on Thursday in Madiala Warriach Cantonment area.