Five killed in crossfire over land

At least five people were killed and nine others injured in an armed clash between two groups over a land dispute in Lodhran.

According to local police officials, the clash took place after Muhammad Javed, a resident of the M34 area, went to plough land in the same area along with Mulazim Shah, Mohammad Ramzan, Mohammad Abbas, Mohammad Sajjad and others, but Sajawal, Jaffer and Waseem also reached the spot to stop them.

An ensuing crossfire left dead five men from both groups.

The dispute had reportedly begun after land under the use of Javed was allegedly occupied by Mohammad Khan and Ahmed Khan, sons of Jamal Khan Rakhia.

On December 29, the provincial finance department, with the help of the police, had handed over the possession of the 96 kanal and 14 marla land to Javed, son of Gul Muhammad Numbardar.

On Thursday, Mohammad Khan and Ahmed Khan again tried to take over the possession of the land.

A case was registered against them under several legal sections in the Jilla Aaraeen police station.

However, the dispute resulted in an armed clash on Saturday.

Those injured in the clash were taken to the Dunyapur Tehsil Headquarters Hospital.

A heavy contingent of police led by senior local officials reached the spot after the incident.

Two of the injured, Jaffer and Ramzan, were referred to the Victoria Hospital in Bahawalpur in view of their precarious condition.

A local resident said Gul Mohammed had acquired the land after paying Rs187,000 for the standing crop and he had lost four members of his family over the dispute since 2006.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 15^th, 2023.