SIALKOT, April 23 The police have arrested Zafar, the prime accused in the murder of 10 family members of his brother in Jhulki-Satrah village, Daska, a week ago, the district police officer (DPO) told a press conference here on Thursday.

Zafar confessed to stabbing to death his brother, sister-in-law and their eight children over an apparent property dispute on April 15.

DPO Muhammad Ameen said Zafar had been a commando in the Bahrain police for several years where from he was dismissed from service and deported to Pakistan a few years ago.

The police arrested him from the Sialkot bus stand with the help of intelligence agencies soon after his arrival from Pakpattan.

The police produced Zafar at the press conference held at the office of the Daska ASP where he confessed to killing the family over the land dispute. He said he had slaughtered the 10 people, including his younger brother, Javed Iqbal, just in 30 minutes with a sharp-edged axe which he had bought from a nearby Koreki village three days before the homicide.

He said his father, Abdul Rasheed, woke up suddenly when he had killed the people. “At this, I escaped from the scene,” he said.

The DPO said after the massacre, Zafar stayed at a leather factory in Gujranwala with the help of Walayat.

He said family head Abdul Rasheed had also been arrested, as his role was “dubious”. The other arrested in the case are Haji Saleem, Murad Gujjar (Gujranwala), Walayat, Ameen, Sajid, Younas, Dilawar Gujjar, Maqsood Patwari, Manzur, Javaid Gujjar, Ghulam Rasool, Irfan (Gujranwala) and Tufail Gujjar.

The DPO announced cash and appreciation certificates for the raiding police parties.

On the report of deceased Fehmeeda Bibi`s brother, the Satrah police registered a case under sections 34, 320 and 449 of Pakistan Penal Code and 7 Anti-Terrorism Act (ATA) against the three nominated accused and others.

THREAT CALLS All private and government schools and colleges remained closed for the second day on Thursday in the district after a threat of possible targeting of educational institutions by suicide bombers.

Reports said all educational institutions remained closed in Sialkot, Daska, Sambrial, Bhopalwala, Uggoki, Satrah, Pasrur, Chawinda, Badiana and their surrounding areas.

DPO Muhammad Ameen told reporters all private and state-run educational institutions would remain closed for three days (till Friday) owing to security threats.

Meanwhile, all the courts, business centres, markets and bazaars wore a deserted look in Sialkot, Daska, Pasrur and the adjoining areas.

PM`S VISIT Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani will visit Sialkot on Friday (today).

Federal Population Welfare Minister Dr Firdous Ashiq Awan told reporters the prime minister would inaugurate the newly-established Benazir Bhutto Shaheed bridge over river Tavi near Bajwat-Sialkot besides addressing a public meeting at Koobey village.

Senior army officers and law-enforcement agencies reviewed the security arrangements during a meeting regarding the prime minister`s scheduled visit.

The minister said the prime minister would also announce a Rs1 billion development package for Bajwat areas.