NAROWAL: A first information report was registered on Wednesday against 11 people, including a man and four sons, for the murder of seven people in Sialkot.

Muhammad Akram, of Mari Kalan village in Muridke, Sheikhupura, filed a complaint with the police that his brother Muhammad Babar and several others were returning to their village from Daska on Tuesday when the suspects fired at them near Manga Bridge, killing seven people.

Qila Kalarwala police registered an FIR against Zulfiqar Ghaman, Amir Ghaman, Mazhar Zulfiqar, Zafar Zulfiqar, Shahzeb Zulfiqar, Asghar Ali, Abid Asghar, Sajid and three unidentified people under sections 302, 148, and 149 of the Pakistan Penal Code.

The suspects, also residents of Mari Kalan, allegedly targeted the victims over a long-standing land dispute.

According to Akram, the deceased included his brother Muhammad Babar, first cousin Nisar Ahmed, nephew Muhammad Anwar, friend Master Shafaat, spiritual figure Pir Syed Ashfaq Shah, their driver, and an employee.

The police have collected evidence and recorded statements from eyewitnesses at the scene.

The bodies were taken to Pasrur Tehsil Headquarters Hospital for postmortem, after which they were handed over to the families.

The funeral prayers were held in Mari Kalan village, and the victims were laid to rest in the ancestral graveyard.

The Sialkot police said investigation and raiding teams were working to arrest the suspects.

Published in Dawn, October 3rd, 2024