SAHIWAL: Two brothers were shot dead by their cousins, while a third was critically injured over an old rivalry at village 57/12-L, Chichawatni tehsil, on Wednesday.

DPO Rana Tahir took notice of the broad daylight killings and directed DSP Taseer Riaz to ensure the arrest of the culprits.

Speaking to Dawn, DSP Riaz said both rival groups were neighbours and belonged to the Jutt clan. According to reports, Both had three decades-old-land dispute.

One of the families involved was led by Ghulam Rasool, who had three sons - Muhammad Akhter, Arshad Jutt, and Saif Ali. Their cousins, Muhammad Arshad and Babar, lived in a separate house in the same street. The two families were descendants of different grandfathers but had been locked in a land dispute for years.

Police records indicate that Muhammad Akhter and Arshad Jutt were previously accused in the murder of a woman (FIR 344/22) at Okanawala Bangla police station. They were recently released on bail and returned home on Feb 12, 2025. Their return escalated tensions between the two families, with both sides fearing an attack. According to eyewitnesses, Muhammad Arshad (the cousin) was enraged by the early release of his relatives. On the day of the attack, Ghulam Rasool and his three sons Muhammad Akhter, Arshad Jutt, and Saif were returning home from their fields on a loader rickshaw when they were ambushed.

The attackers Arshad, Babar and their accomplice Husnain opened indiscriminate fire, killing Akhter and Arshad Jutt, while critically injuring Saif. Police said the victims were armed but did not get chance to retaliate.

The shooters managed to escape, while rescue teams arrived at the scene and confirmed the deaths of Akhter and Arshad. Saif was shifted to Chichawatni THQ hospital. Police collected forensic evidence and sent the bodies for autopsy.

Despite the attackers residing next door, Okanawala police failed to make immediate arrests. Instead, a man named Basharat was taken into custody, but later released as the complainants did not mention his name in the FIR.

Okanawala Bangla SHO Shahzad Joiya confirmed the release, saying police could not detain Basharat without complaint.

Meanwhile, DSP Riaz assured that raids were being conducted to arrest Arshad, Babar and Husnain.

Published in Dawn, March 27th, 2025