BAHAWALPUR, June 27: Police on Tuesday conducted raids in Choonawala near Hasilpur, 90km from here, to arrest those wanted in the murder of two Ahle Hadith activists. Reports reaching here suggested that a large number of shops in the town were closed as a majority among the nominated accused is shopkeepers.

Ahle Hadith circles have nominated 18 people in the FIR. Sources said a number of people were arrested on Tuesday.

The AH activists were lynched by a mob belonging to the rival sect on charges of blasphemy.