GUJRAT, Dec 29: An MPA, who was also provincial president of PML (Junejo), and his five companions were shot dead by unidentified gunmen near Dandi Dara, Sarai Alamgir (some 60km from here) on Sunday.

Two of his associates and three passers-by sustained injuries in the attack.

Reportedly, MPA Chaudhry Mohammad Farooq, also a former provincial law minister, was returning to Sarai Alamgir after attending the Chehlum of Master Allah Dita Sabri’s father in Ghial Zareen village.

As Chaudhry Farooq’s car (AJKC-1100) reached near Dandi Dara bazaar, unidentified attackers ambushed the vehicle and open fire Kalashnikov riffles, eyewitnesses said..

Chaudhry Farooq, his two gunmen, Zafar Iqbal and Sher Khan, a school headmaster Sufi Ashraf, Chaudhry Manzoor and Chaudhry Bashir, died, and his driver Shakoor, a councillor Arshad Mirza and three passers-by were wounded.

The injured were taken to a nearby hospital where Arshad and a passer-by Shafique are said to be in critical condition.

The other two injured were identified as Safdar and Imran. There are conflicting claims about the number of attackers who fled in their car.

A police spokesman told Dawn that the motive behind the attack which occurred at about 2pm could not be ascertained.

Chaudhry Farooq had been elected MPA from PP-114 (Sarai Alamgir) in the Oct 10 elections.