MANSEHRA, Jan 29: Sajid Tanoli, a reporter of a daily published from Abbottabad, was shot dead here on Thursday allegedly by the nazim of a union council of Mansehra.

In the FIR registered at the Model Police Station, Mansehra city, Ali Asghar, a brother of the deceased, alleged that Khalid Javid Khan, nazim of the union council No 3, of Mansehra, was engaged in illegal liquor business and that the deceased had exposed his business in reports which were published in the daily Shamal.

He also alleged that the nazim, his brother Mubarak and son Osman had been threatening his brother of dire consequences for publishing the reports. Police sources said that Sajid Tanoli had received four pistol shots, two in the head, one in the neck and one in the chest.

Mubarak and Osman have been arrested while the main accused Khalid Javid is at large. Police also claimed to have found the nazim's car at the place where the shooting had taken place.

Local journalists held protest meetings at the Mansehra Press Club and strongly condemned the murder of the journalist and set a 24-hour deadline for the arrest of the accused. A meeting of newsmen from all over the district will be held on Friday to chalk out a programme of protest.