SARGODHA, Jan 20: Robbers on Thursday took away sacrificial animals besides looting other valuables.

Two gunmen snatched a goat from a boy who was roaming outside his house along with the animal in the Old Civil Lines area. The goat was reportedly purchased for Rs10,000.

Meanwhile, animal theft was reported from Chak 38, 84 Janoobi and other areas of the district. Two incidents were also reported from Bhalwal tehsil. In all, 15 animals, including cows and goats, worth around Rs200,000 were stolen in these incidents.

It is learnt that the stolen animals were being sent to the NWFP where their prices are reportedly higher than in the Punjab.

In another incident, Razauddin, an employee of a milk collection centre, was deprived of his motorcycle (LXD-8424), cash and other valuables by unidentified highwaymen.

PRISONERS RELEASED: About 250 prisoners involved in petty offences were released from the district jail on the occasion of Eidul Azha.

About 170 poor prisoners were given fare through the donation of local philanthropists.

Deputy Superintendent Mian Fahim Ahmad told this correspondent on Thursday that philanthropists from Faisalabad also gave the amount of fine of some poor prisoners.

MURDER MYSTERY: Police on Thursday failed to resolved the mystery of murder of PML-N vice-president Mansoor Ali Shah and his gunman. A police party under the supervision of Sahiwal DSP has been sent to arrest the alleged killers who reportedly escaped towards the NWFP.

Meanwhile, Mian Nawaz Sharif and Shahbaz Sharif condoled the death of Mansoor Ali Shah and his gunman and held the government responsible for increasing lawlessness in the country. They demanded resignation from the chief minister for failing to control crime in the province and pledged to launch a move against the "inefficient federal government."

EID SECURITY: The district police officer on Thursday deputed heavy contingents of police and plainclothesmen outside all the mosques and places where Eid prayers would be offered.

The DPO has set up special mobile teams which would patrol the city throughout the day. He would himself supervise the security arrangements. The DPO directed his force to remain alert in the sensitive areas. Meanwhile, the traffic DSP reviewed the arrangements to avoid traffic jams on Eid.

Eidul Azha prayers will be offered at more than 500 mosques and Eidgahs all over the district on Friday.