SARGODHA, Feb 16: Three people were killed by rivals in Hadali village in Khushab district on Wednesday. The police, however, managed to arrest the killers four hours after the incident had taken place.

The police also seized six kalashnikovs with 17 magazines, one G-3 rifle, one repeater and around 1,000 cartridges. Shabbir Kalyyar and four accomplices shot dead Naeem Wadhal, Malik Hamidullah Wadhal and their driver Hafeezullah and injured their gunman Said Rasool Pathan of Bannu.

On information, a police party headed by Jauharabad ASP Asghar Ali chased the accused. The police after leaving their vehicles in Khushab crossed the Jehlum river in boats. On the request of the Khushab DPO, Sargodha DPO Muhammad Naeem Khan directed his staff and Sahiwal police to help Khushab police.

Police parties of both the districts after a hot pursuit found the accused in the outhouse of a local Meikan landlord. Seeing police, the accused opened fire on them which was returned. Later, the police succeeded in overpowering Shabbir Kalyyar and four accomplices.

Sargodha police handed over the accused to Khushab police. Accused Shabbir suspected that Naeem Wadhal was involved in the murder of his father and brother. Deceased Naeem and Hamidullah were cousins and related to former MPA, Malik Khuda Baksh Wadhal.