Double murder suspects shot dead

Two prime suspects accused of killing two brothers over a dispute of just Rs30 were shot dead in an encounter with the Crime Control Department (CCD) in Raiwind on Thursday.

The CCD officials said the suspects - Owais and Shahzad - were identified as the main culprits behind the attack that claimed the life of 24-year-old Wajid and later his elder brother Rashid.

The two were being taken for the identification of their accomplices in the Manowal area of Chung when armed associates ambushed the police team. Police said the attackers opened fire in an attempt to free the suspects. The CCD personnel retaliated and in the ensuing exchange of fire, Owais and Shahzad were killed while their accomplices managed to flee.

"The suspects were directly involved in the double murder and attempted to escape amid the attack," a CCD spokesperson said, adding that a search operation had been launched to apprehend the remaining accused.

The case began last week with a seemingly minor quarrel.

Wajid and Rashid, residents of Kot Radha Kishan, were returning home after delivering milk when they stopped at Pabliyana Bridge (Bhambian) to buy fruit. An argument broke out over Rs30 with vendor Owais. The confrontation escalated when Owais, his brother Shahzad and several others allegedly attacked the siblings with rods, bats and blunt weapons.

Eyewitnesses reported that Owais struck Wajid on the head with a bat, causing him to collapse, while Rashid was also beaten severely, sustaining multiple injuries including a fractured arm.

Locals pleaded with the assailants to stop, but the violence intensified before the group fled the scene.

An FIR lodged by the victims' father stated that the attackers called in reinforcements, swelling their numbers before leaving after issuing threats. Both injured brothers were rushed to Lahore General Hospital. Wajid, a milk vendor and amateur cricketer, died shortly afterwards.