SHIKARPUR, July 21: Four people were killed in an armed attack near Aachar Sadhayo village on Saturday.

Some farmers of Dahani community were ploughing their field with a tractor when the assailants, believed to be their rivals belonging to Sadhayo community, opened fire on them, killing Dil Murad Dahani, Wazeer Dahani, Abdul Ghafoor Dahani and a passerby, Nazeer Shaikh.

The Dahanis returned the fire and four people, including Manzoor Dahani and passerby Soofia Kumbhar, were injured in the exchange of fire.

Manzoor and Ms Soofia were taken to a local hospital from where they referred to Chandka Medical College Hospital, Larkana, due to their critical condition. Police reached the place and prevented further bloodshed by setting up two pickets in the area.

The motive behind the attack is said to be a dispute over a theft incident which took place two years ago and has so far claimed 12 lives.

Nine people of Sadhayo community have been arrested on the charge of being involved in the attack, according to Shikarpur SSP Faizullah Korejo. A Kalashnikov and two shot guns were recovered from their possession.