KARACHI, Aug 23: Three persons were shot dead and their associate was wounded when unknown persons opened fire on them in Illyas Goth, Baloch Para Liaquatabad on Tuesday evening.

TPO Liaquatabad Mazhar Shaikh said the killing appears to be result of an on-going tussle between two groups of drug dealers active in the area.

A duty officer of the Super Market police station said according to initial information, four or five persons were reportedly sitting in Baloch Para in C-1 Area where unknown persons sprayed them with bullets.

They were rushed to hospitals, but pronounced dead on arrival. Mohammad Essa, 25, and Mohammad Aslam, 25, were taken to Abbasi Shaheed Hospital. A wounded man, identified as Malang, was provided treatment at the hospital.

The fourth victim was taken to Civil Hospital where he succumbed to his wounds; he was identified as Mohammad Waseem.

Following the incident, tension prevailed in the area and shops pulled down shutters.

Similar killings have also taken place in the area in the past. Two years back, one Shakil was killed allegedly by the group of Essa who was also killed on Tuesday. TPO said Essa group was in control of Illyas Goth whereas their rivals led by Aqeel have their roots in Lyari.

The two groups used pistols in the killing which suggests that they had first sat down for talks and during the dialogue, things heated up and they opened fire on each other, the TPO added.