JHANG, Dec 26: Four persons were injured, one of them seriously, when guards at the shrine of Hazrat Sultan Bahu allegedly opened fire on a group of visitors early Thursday morning.

According to police sources, a group of devotees, including some women, was on a visit to the shrine 60km from here when some private guards posted there opened fire on it, injuring Maqbool, Mushtaq, Ghulam Mustafa and Benazir. The last-mentioned is stated to be in a serious condition.

Police have arrested 11 persons in connection with the shootout.

According to some associates of Sajjada Nashin Muneeb Sultan, the injured devotees had been sent by his elder brother, Dr Najeeb Sultan, to occupy the shrine, which prompted the guards to open fire on them.

Late Sajjada Nashin Sahibzada Ghulam Jillani, who died a few months ago, left behind two sons — one each from his two wives. In his will, he nominated his 12-year-old son, Muneeb Sultan, as the next Gadi Nasheen. This was unacceptable to the elder son, Dr Najeeb Sultan, who challenged the decision in the court of law. The matter is subjudice.