LAHORE, March 12: A police sub-inspector was shot dead over property dispute at Bilal Ganj in Lower Mall police precinct on Sunday. The police, however, said the official was gunned down by a gang of hired assassins-cum-robbers who were arrested after a chase and encounter in Muridke.

Posted at the Punjab Constabulary, SI Muhammad Sarwar had visited the city to celebrate Basant with his friend, Javed. He was leaving the city for Gujranwala early in the morning when four men opened fire on him.

A Lower Mall police patrol heard the gunshots and rushed to the scene of crime. On seeing the police, the accused took to the heels. However, one of them, Naveed, was caught by the police while the others managed their escape.

The injured was taken to a hospital where he died. The police claimed they chased the fleeing accused and rounded them up near Muridke. They were identified as Salamat Ali, Aleemullah and Altaf Mithu.

Quoting Salamat, the police said he had been hired against Rs150,000 by Naveed to kill the SI. They added Naveed had a property dispute with the deceased.—Staff Reporter