RAJANPUR, Jan 20: Known religious leader Maulana Muhammad Iqbal Saeedi and his brother were shot dead by their rivals on court premises here on Monday.

Four of the seven assailants later surrendered to police.

Pathan, Hashim, Ghulam Sarwar, Rahim Bukhsh and three others came to court and shot dead the Maulana. They also gunned down his brother Maula Bukhsh when he came to his rescue. Later, they fled while firing in the air.

The City police have sent the bodies to hospital for post-mortem. The deceased Maulana had killed a youth, Manzar Hussain, when his rival party attacked his house some one year ago.

The deceased Maulana was the former president of the local Jamaat Ahle Sunnat. All the religious organizations have protested against the murder of the Maulana and his brother.

AXED TO DEATH: A married woman and her father were axed to death on Monday over karokari in Mauza Soanwah.

Amanullah went to fetch his daughter Samia Mai who was living with her uncle Talib Hussain’s house. But her uncle refused. On Amanullah’s persistent demand, Talib and four others fell into a rage and axed both father and daughter to death. Later, they locked the bodies in a room and fled.

Police have registered a case and are investigating.