LARKANA: Five men were gunned down in a targeted attack at a shop on the outskirts of Ratodero on Saturday, police said.

They identified the deceased as Rajab Ali Ghanghro, his three sons — Riaz Ali Ghanghro, Qurban Ali Ghanghro and Bilawal Ghanghro — and passer-by Abdullah Brohi.

The police said that the incident stemmed from an old dispute between two factions of the Ghanghro community over ownership of agricultural land.

They said that assailants riding on a motorbike emerged at the shop and sprayed a volley of bullets and rode away.

Police attribute killings to land dispute; CM Murad orders immediate arrest of culprits

The Ratodero police reached the scene and shifted the bodies to the Taluka Hospital.

Sikandar Ghanghro, a relative of the slain Ghanghro family members, said they had no enmity with anyone and no connection to the warring parties.

“Our innocent people have been killed in an act of cruelty. We demand justice,” he said.

The family of Abdullah Brohi, who was also killed in the firing, said the young man had gone to the shop to buy fertiliser when he was caught in the crossfire.

Taking notice of the incident, Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah and Home Minister Zia-ul-Hasan Lanjar ordered authorities to ensure immediate arrest of the killers.

In a statement, the home minister ordered authorities that law and order be maintained in the area at all costs and that effective measures be taken to protect the lives and property of citizens.

He also instructed the police to set up effective blockades and conduct search operations to catch the killers.

Also, Inspector General of Sindh Police Javed Alam Odho has taken notice of the killings and sought a detailed report from the DIG Larkana.

The IG stressed the need for a strong police presence in the area and foolproof security arrangements to prevent any untoward situation.

Larkana SSP Azhar Khan Mughal visited the Taluka Hospital Ratodero and gathered details from the victims’ relatives.

According to the SSP, the dispute between the two Ghanghro factions over land ownership had been ongoing for the past 12 years. He said members of the Ghanghro Korai and Dahani tribes were involved in the incident. “Raids are under way to arrest the suspects,” the SSP said.

Speaking to the media in Ratodero, he said the old land dispute had already claimed 13 lives.

He said the attackers had been identified and that the police had launched operations in various areas to arrest them.

“Those who took the law into their own hands will be given the harshest possible punishment,” the SSP said, adding that taking up arms to kill innocent people cannot be tolerated under any circumstances.

Published in Dawn, October 4th, 2026