LAHORE, June 16: Five men of a family were gunned down allegedly by their rivals near Jalyana village of Manga Mandi on Thursday.

Quoting witnesses, police said four armed men ambushed their rivals soon after they left the village for a court in connection with a murder case hearing.

Barkat Ali (75), his sons Ahmad Ali (25) and Muhammad Ameen (27) and nephews Muhammad Fiaz (35) and Muhammad Nawaz (30) were killed at the scene when Murtaza and his accomplices opened fire at their car after pulling driver Rizwan out of the vehicle.

Manga Mandi police inquiries showed that Murtaza’s sister was married to Khalil, son of Barkat Ali, a few years ago, but the couple developed differences. The couple’s quarrels turned into a family feud and Khalil’s brother Saeed shot dead Murtaza’sbrother Anwar a year ago. A murder case was registered against Saeed and the two sides went into litigation.

Ali was father of five, Ameen four, Fiaz three and Nawaz four.

Senior Superintendent of Police (Investigation) Abdur Razzaq Cheema told Dawn that two men nominated in the case surrendered to Gujranwala Cantonment police in another case to deceive the police and avoid arrest for five murders.

Manga Mandi police have registered a case against Murtaza, Babar, Tahir, Intizar and three unidentified assailants.