SHIKARPUR/SUKKUR, Feb 13: Following the murder of three Jatoi clansmen near Chak town on Sunday, tension between the Jatoi and Mahar tribesmen has once again mounted up in Shikarpur district and adjoining areas.

Both groups have entrenched against each other, and a war-like situation prevails. Seven persons, five of them Jatois, were taking goats in a pickup from Roidad Tarat Jatoi village to a cattle market in Rohri.

When they reached near Chak town, four unidentified armed men, allegedly belonging to the Mahar clan, intercepted and kidnapped them along with the vehicle and 15 goats.

On the way, they singled out three Jatoi clansmen, shot them dead, and left their bodies at different places between Lashari Mahar and Dadlo Mahar villages. The deceased were identified as Umer Daraz, 45, son of Allah Dino; Din Mohammad, 20, son of Dilshad; and Sabir, 15, son of Bagnoo. Later, the Chak police, on recovering the vehicle from the kutcha area, arrested the driver. However, no FIR was lodged till the filing of this report.