SARGODHA: Five people, including a father and his two sons, were killed while three others sustained critical injuries in a crossfire between two rival groups over a watercourse dispute in Basti Chandia, Jhok Faqeer, within the jurisdiction of Bahal Police Station in Bhakkar district on Saturday morning.

Police said the incident occurred at around 8:30am when members of the first party, led by Muhammad Aslam, were preparing a watercourse on agricultural land. Meanwhile, the rival group, headed by Amanullah, arrived at the scene and objected, claiming the watercourse encroached upon their land.

After an exchange of heated arguments, both sides – reportedly close relatives – opened fire on each other.

As a result of the crossfire, five people were killed. The deceased include Muhammad Aslam (45), his sons Muhammad Azhar (18) and Mazhar Abbas (19), Niaz Niazi (28), and Waseem Sajjad (28), son of Amanullah.

Among the injured are Sajjad Hussain (30), Shafi (35), and Amanullah (60), who are reported to be in critical condition.

Police reached the scene and shifted the bodies and injured to a nearby hospital.

IG Abdul Kareem has sought a report on the incident and directed District Police Officer (DPO) Bhakkar, Shahzad Rafique Awan, to ensure the immediate arrest of those involved. Regional Police Officer (RPO) Muhammad Shahzad Asif Khan also took notice of the incident and sought a report.

Police have formed multiple teams to arrest the suspects, and a search operation is currently underway in the area.

FIRE: Two women and two children sustained burn injuries after a fire broke out in the kitchen due to a gas leak in the stove.

Reports said a fire broke out in a house at Chak 4 NB near Salem on Gujrat Road, Sargodha, due to an open gas leak. Two women, Kausar Bibi (52), Iqra Bibi (35), and two children, Haseeb Mohsin (4) and Ali Hassan (16) were badly burned. They were immediately shifted to the hospital after receiving first aid.

Published in Dawn, April 26th, 2026