LAHORE, Nov 14: Police claimed to have arrested on Tuesday the alleged killer of five people, who committed the gruesome crime over a cell phone dispute on Monday night.

Syed Abbas Ali alias Zafir Shah, 18, had gunned down brothers Muhammad Khan and Bahadur Khan, their nephew Ali Muhammad, servant Ejaz Khan and a customer Imtiaz on Monday night at a shop at third floor of Lucky Centre in Landa Bazaar when he came there to avenge his ‘insult’ by his father.

Hakeem Khan, the brother of Muhammad Khan and Bahadur Khan, whom he wanted to kill, was out of the shop and survived the attack.

Hakeem, a resident of Peshawar, was wholesale trader of Chinese goods while Imtiaz, a resident of Azam Garden, Lahore, was also a trader and had come to the Lucky Centre for taking an order of bags.

Abbas, notorious for gambling and loose morals in the area, was snubbed by his father for not returning a brand new cell phone of Hakeem which he took from him on credit six days ago.

DIG (operations) Aamir Zulfikar Khan told a hurriedly called news conference at the Police Lines that the accused, a brother of five sisters, was arrested from his grandparent’s house in Ichhra late night.

“We arrested him after timely investigation and tracing his clues.”

He said Abbas had already been imprisoned for injuring his teacher with an iron punch two years ago. He said the accused had purchased a pistol from a Pathan for Rs2,800 about one and a half months ago.

“I asked Hakeem to give his brand new mobile to me on credit with the assurance of giving money in a day. I lost the mobile and when Hakeem asked me to return the cell phone or give the money, I refused. Hakeem complained to my father who admonished me and asked to leave the house,” the DIG quoted Abbas as saying.

“I became furious, went to Hakeem’s godown at around 11:30pm, opened the door and fired at the people when two Pathans rushed towards me after seeing a pistol in my hand,” the accused told the police.

The DIG told a questioner that it was a target killing rather than dacoity.

Citing three separate incidents of murders by the youngsters, DIG Khan said there was a need to change the social fabric of society.

Responding to a question regarding illegal weapons, the DIG said the supply of arms was continuing in the city despite police crackdown every now and then.

“We have so far registered 1,500 more cases of illegal weapons this year as compared to the last year,” he said.

He told a questioner that the possession of illegal weapons should be a non-bailable offence.

Meanwhile, residents of the Landa Bazaar told this reporter that Abbas lived just 300-foot from the Lucky Centre.

He had left the school after injuring his teacher. After that he used to involve in gambling and other immoral activities in the area.” They said Abbas wanted to become rich overnight.

Meanwhile, traders observed strike, staged a protest demonstration in front of the Babu Hotel and demanded strict action against the culprit.

The whole Landa market, Shaheed Gunj, Naulakha and Trunk Market remained closed in protest.

A police contingent was deployed in front of the Lucky Centre and around Landa Bazaar and adjacent markets to avert any untoward situation.

On Tuesday evening, the police handed over the bodies to the families after autopsy.