QUETTA, Aug 13 Two relatives of Habib Jalib Baloch, the secretary-general of Balochistan National Party (Mengal) who was slain late last month, have been picked up for their involvement in the assassination, police said.

Addressing a press conference on Friday, Balochistan IGP Malik Iqbal said that the people arrested were close relatives of the late leader and had no link with any organisation.

He said that in all four people were involved in the July 24 killing of the nationalist leader and raids were being conducted to capture the other two suspects.

He said initial investigation indicated that the motive behind the assassination was an enmity, adding that more information about the case would be available after the investigation concluded.

The IG pointed out that various organisations had claimed responsibility for Mr Baloch's murder but he set up an investigation team to conduct a probe into the case. He said the investigation team traced the accused and arrested Munshi Ejaz Ahmed. He said Ejaz disclosed that three other persons were involved in the killing which led to the arrest of another accused whom he identified as Munir Ahmed.

He did not disclose the names of other accused.

The IG said the accused, who lived close to the house of the late leader, confessed that they had prepared the assassination plan in a hotel room and after killing Mr Baloch they visited his residence and before attending his funeral they also participated in a procession held in protest against the murder.

He said police had seized a motorcycle, an AK-47 rifle and a pistol that are believed to have been used in the murder.

The IG the government of Balochistan had announced a reward of Rs100,000 for the arrest of the accused and the amount would be given to the investigation team.