DERA ISMAIL KHAN: Three people were killed and two others injured in separate incidents of firing linked to personal enmity and old disputes, police said on Monday.

In the first incident, unidentified assailants opened fire in the Jhok Basharat area of Kacha belt within the jurisdiction of Shorkot police station, killing a resident, Mohammad Ali Baloch.

In another incident reported at Shaheed Nawab police station, Azizullah, a resident of Kattakhel, lodged an FIR, stating that his 17-year-old brother, Shaukatullah, along with relatives, 31-year-old Ismatullah and 27-year-old Salahuddin, was travelling on a pickup vehicle to Panyala to celebrate Eid when they were attacked near Adda Shah Hassankhel.

According to the complainant, the accused, identified as Ghafoor, his sons Latif and Naveed, and Rehmatullah, allegedly opened fire on them, killing Shaukatullah on the spot and injuring Ismatullah and Salahuddin. The attackers fled the scene.

Police arrest many suspects, seize arms in crackdown

Police said the motive behind the attack was an old enmity, as Latif had allegedly killed the complainant’s brother, Kifayatullah.

In a third incident, unidentified gunmen shot dead a man, Mudassir, in the Solhan Muqeem Shah area, also within the limits of Shorkot police station.

Meanwhile, police carried out a series of operations across multiple areas in the district during Chand Raat and Eidul Fitr, arresting many suspects, and seizing 16 pistols along with 96 rounds, one sub-machine gun with 75 rounds, 30 sound systems and 16 pickup vehicles, officials said.

In the city circle, a team arrested six suspects and recovered six pistols, 24 rounds of ammunition and 10 sound systems. In Paroa, the police seized two pistols, 10 rounds and nine sound systems.

In Paharpur, police arrested 16 suspects involved in reckless driving, drifting and illegal use of sound systems. Five pistols, 47 rounds, six pickup vehicles and 10 sound systems were taken into custody. Separately, Kaddi Khaisoor police arrested three suspects involved in firing in the air and recovered three pistols along with 15 rounds, while also impounding 10 pickup vehicles for negligent driving.

In Panyala, police recovered one Kalashnikov, five magazines and 74 rounds of ammunition.

POOR CLEANLINESS: Residents have complained about poor sanitation arrangements in the city during Eidul Fitr, alleging mismanagement by the Water and Sanitation Services Company and calling for action against those responsible.

Heaps of garbage, foul smell and unhygienic conditions were reported in several areas, including Diyal Road, Khairabad Colony, Thoya Fazal, and the surroundings of Kotli Imam Hussain, as well as in inner-city neighbourhoods and suburban localities. The situation made it difficult for people to move freely, particularly during Eid prayers.

Citizens complained that drainage lines remained clogged in various parts of the city, resulting in stagnant wastewater accumulating in streets and on Circular Road. This caused inconvenience for worshippers heading to Eid congregations.

The citizens urged the Dera commissioner to take notice of the situation and initiate disciplinary action against officials responsible for the alleged negligence.

Published in Dawn, March 24th, 2026