RAWALPINDI, Feb 15: Three persons, including the caretaker of Bari Imam shrine, were shot dead and six others injured in an ambush by unidentified assailants in the heavily guarded Diplomatic Enclave area behind the Prime Minister's House on Tuesday.

Police said Raja Mohammad Akram, the caretaker of Bari Imam shrine, his guard Mohammad Ijaz and one of the attackers, Saeed Ahmed, died on the spot. The dead and the injured were shifted to capital and Rawalpindi hospitals.

The injured were identified as Head constable Ibrar Hussain, Muhammad Ijaz Ahmed, Hafeezur Rehman, Mohammad Riaz, Raja Tanveer Ahmed and Mr Jamil. Raja Akram's body was taken to Pims. Four of the injured were shifted to the Federal Government Services Hospital, one to the RGH, Rawalpindi, and another to the Pims.

Police said Raja Tanveer Ahmed, who is suspected to be among the attackers, has been shifted to the RGH. Police and hospital authorities said that the death toll could rise as two of the injured, including Raja Akram's nephew, are in serious conditions.

According to police sources, Raja Akram had received 15 bullets which smashed his skull, face, right hand and left leg. His gunman Mohammad Ijaz had received five bullets in his head, left leg, chest and abdomen. Saeed Ahmed, who belongs to rival group, received one bullet in his neck when Raja Akram's guards fired in retaliation.

Police said Raja Akram along with his guard, nephew Mohammad Hafeezur Rehman, Ijaz Ahmed and head constable Ibrar Hussain, were coming in a car after attending a funeral procession of Raja Kausar Kiani when the attackers, who were waiting in ambush at the rooftop of a nearby building, sprayed their vehicle with bullets in a market behind the shrine. The attackers managed to escape.

People from the surrounding areas rushed to the scene and removed the bodies and the injured to hospitals. The police cordoned off the area. Preliminary police investigation suggested that Tauqeer Ahmed, a proclaimed offender, had rivalry with Raja Akram and is suspected to be involved in the attack.

Raja Akram, who had survived a similar attempt on his life, some three years ago, had close relations with some former prime ministers and top government officials.

A press note issued by the capital administration said that Raja Akram along with his companions were attacked by Tanvir, Tauqeer, Saeed and their accomplices when they were returning from a funeral procession. As a result, Mr Akram and Mohammad Ejaz sustained bullet injuries and died on the spot, while four others were injured.

"Policeman on duty, opened fire in retaliation and one of the assailants, Saeed, died on the spot and another, Tanvir, got serious injuries, who has been arrested. "Police is carrying out raids on different places for the arrest of the assailants.

"About three years back, Tanvir group had opened fire on the vehicle of Mr Akram, wherein Dr Ehsan got injured. A case was registered in Attock district. Tanvir is involved in 11 different criminal cases and he has been awarded punishment in some cases. The present attack is result of personal enmity, it added.