KHAIRPUR, Aug 18: Four villagers, including a man and his son, were shot dead in an ambush and another man was killed in a retaliatory attack on Saturday.

The four people were going to Bakhoo Lashari village on two motorcycles when gunmen opened fire on them on Naro Dhoro road near Kot Diji.

As a result, Qurban, 35, his son Imam Dino, 13, Punhal, 34, and Mehboob, 23, died on the spot.Later, armed men shot dead Mushtaq Lashari, 25, resident of Mithan Lashari village.

The killing are said to be the outcome of an enmity between two groups of people belonging to Lashari community.

The police took the bodies to hospital and, after post-mortem, handed them over to relatives.

Policemen have been deployed in both the villages to prevent further bloodshed. A police source said that the situation was under control.

A pall of gloom hung over Bakhoo Lashari. The entire area is in the grip of sense of insecurity.

SSP of Khairpur Irfan Baloch told journalists that killers would be arrested soon.

No case was registered till late Saturday evening.