LAHORE, March 26: Three members of a family, including two brothers, were shot dead and two others were injured seriously by their rivals over a minor issue in Mughalpura on Monday morning.

The killing spree that continued at four nearby spots within a radius of some 50 yards created a panic among residents and passersby.

“Shabbir Gujjar and Mooti Gujjar of the area are responsible for the murder of my two brothers Ilyas and Abbas and maternal cousin Zahid Gujjar, but I don’t know why they did this brutal act,” said aggrieved Riaz Gujjar, who was also an eyewitness, while talking to Dawn at his residence.

However, he did not disclose the exact cause of an enmity despite repeated attempts by this reporter.

Riaz’s another brother Ejaz Gujjar, who escaped unhurt, refused to talk to this reporter.

Complainant Mehmood alias Bhola of the same area told police that he along with his cousin Shaukat Ali was present near Azeem Ground, Muhammadpura Jattan, when accused Shabbir Gujjar, Heera Gujjar, Mohsin Gujjar, Younas Gujjar and an unidentified person riding on two bikes came to the milk shop of Ilyas Gujjar at 7.30am. He said that intruders opened fire on Ilyas and his son Naveed. As a result, Ilyas died on the spot while his son sustained critical bullet wounds.

The accused left the shop and went to nearby Munawar Sultana School and shot at and injured seriously Ilyas’ maternal cousin Tahir Gujjar, who was sitting at his rickshaw stand.

Later, the attackers came to the house of Ilyas and opened fire on his brothers Abbas Gujjar and Ejaz Gujjar, who were present outside their house. Abbas died on the spot but his brother luckily remained unhurt.

Afterwards the accused reached the shop of Tahir’s brother Zahid alias Heera Gujjar and shot him dead. The accused managed their escape on their bikes while resorting to aerial firing.

The injured were rushed to the Services Hospital in critical condition.

Complainant said that Ilyas and his brothers had barred Shabbir Gujjar from tying animals in front of Zahid Gujjar’s house a few days back and both parties exchanged harsh words over the issue. Later, the neighbours reconciled the matter between them.

Mughalpura SP Dr Rizwan said both sides had quarrelled over the possession of a distribution agency some six months back but the issue was resolved amicably.

He said even some people from both sides had a sitting on Sunday night after the recent rift over the tying of animals in front of deceased Zahid’s shop.

Arif, neighbour of Ilyas, said that Ilyas had three brothers and all were doing animal and milk business while the accused Shabbir had also three brothers and did the same business.

“I do not remember if Ilyas and his brothers have an old enmity with Shabbir or anyone of the area,” he said.

The police have registered a murder case against five accused.