GILGIT, March 12: The situation further intensified in Bargu village, 23kms west of Gilgit after a shepherd was shot at on Thursday night during the firing which has been going on intermittently in the village for the past two months.

Shepherd Ali Raza was first chased in pastures and then shot at in his leg. Police sources said that the injured had been admitted to DHQ hospital Gilgit where his health was stated to be stable. Police claimed of having arrested five persons, including suspected ring leader Aleem, allegedly involved in the Thursday’s firing in which a youth Haider was shot dead by a rival group.

Police sources said they had beefed up security around the village and were searching for more suspects involved in the firing and killing. They said the village had virtually turned into a battlefield by sectarian elements and so far four people had lost their lives.

Meanwhile situation in Gilgit city was calm but business remained suspended on third consecutive days due to a strike call given by a Sunni organization to protest against the death of a government official, Muhammad Ayub, who was shot dead on Tuesday in Danyore by an unknown attacker.