MANSEHRA: A cleric and his brother were gunned down allegedly over a land dispute in Punjool locality of Shinkiari here on Tuesday.

Qari Mohammad Zarin, his son Mohammad Ibrar and his brother Mian Khan were on way to Mansehra from their home when armed men intercepted them and sprayed them with bullets, leaving Zarin and Mian Khan dead on spot. Ibrar also received bullet wounds and was taken to civil hospital wherefrom he was referred to Ayub Medical Complex in Abbottabad in critical condition.

Police said a land dispute was stated to be the possible reason behind the double murder. They said Qari Zarin was a friend of Federal Minister for Religious Affairs Sardar Mohammad Yousuf.

Shinkiari police registered FIR against five suspected killers and began making efforts to apprehend them.-Correspondent