GUJRANWALA, Feb 1: Four villagers were injured by a proclaimed offender and his accomplices who later also injured a constable in a shootout on Saturday in Kot Nisar Shah, Naushera Virkan.

PO Muhammad Asghar and his accomplices entered the house of Muhammad Razzaq and demanded protection money from him. On his refusal, the intruders shot and injured Razzaq. They also injured Muhammad Habib, Imam Din and Muhammad Younas when they came to his rescue. Later, the PO managed to escape from the scene.

The villagers immediately informed constables Shafqat and Ashraf who were there on patrol duty. They along with villagers went after the outlaws, but they opened fire on them and injured Shafqat. However, villagers caught one of the fleeing accomplices of the PO who was later handed over to police.

KILLED: A minor boy was killed on Saturday when a gun went off accidentally in Mohanpur Bhattian, Wahando.

Imran and his brother Irfan were playing with the gun in the compound of their house. Suddenly, it went off and a bullet hit Imran. He received serious injuries and died while being taken to the local DHQ Hospital.

DEATH TOLL: The death toll of a gas cylinder blast on the Sessions Court Road rose to three when another injured died in the local DHQ Hospital here on Saturday.

Anser and his wife Robina Bibi were killed while about half a dozen other family members, including their guest Muhammad Khan, had sustained burn injuries some five days back. The injured, Khan, also died at the DHQ Hospital on Saturday. The condition of Shahnaz Bibi, Wallayat Khan, Aqeel, Ali Zeb and Imran was still stated to be critical.