ATTOCK, Oct 17: A former candidate for the slot of Bahdar Khan Union Council nazim was shot dead at Syedan village on Tuesday night.

Police said before dying, Aashiq Hussain had informed Hazro police station at the Tehsil Headquarters Hospital that he was present in his house on Tuesday night, when someone knocked at his door.

As soon as he came out of his house, a masked man opened fire on him and fled away.

He further informed the police that seven persons were involved in the incident, whose names he had mentioned in his petition (under section 22-A) filed on May 21, 2007 with the district and sessions judge, Attock, after he received threats.

However, after recording his statement, Ashiq Hussain died at the hospital. Hazro police station have registered a murder case and started investigation. The motive behind the murder is stated to be political rivalry.

When contacted, DSP Hazro police circle Chaudhry Abdul Ghaffar said he was not aware of complete details of the petition as it was not available with the police.— Correspondent