BAHAWALPUR: Dozens of cattle heads have died of a mysterious disease in Gaggo mandi and its suburbs in Vehari district during the past two days.

Dawn has learnt that the about 50 buffaloes, cows and their calves have died of this mysterious disease in a number of villages, including 367/EB, 369/EB, and Gaggo town.

The farmers and owners of the livestocl( in the area have expressed concern over thedeaths of animals, demanding that the livestocl< department should take immediate notice of the situation and send special teams to these villages for diagnosing the disease and suggesting the treatment.

The affected cattle owners, including Ali Ahmed, Nasir Cheema, Naveed Sarwar and Mian Qasim say that the diseased animals suddenly fall and die.

Local sources says that taking notice of the situation, livestock Deputy Director Dr Mohsin Bhatti visited the affected villages, inspected cattle heads, collected samples from the dead animals and sent them for laboratory tests to ascertain the cause of their death.

According to Dr Bhatti, theaffected animals would be vaccinated and provided medicines after the diagnosis of the disease.

Meanwhile, according to a handout issued by deputy director, public relations, Vehari, on receipt of cattle heads` deaths, a livestock team led by a vet.

It said DD Dr Bhatti visited the affected areas in Sheikh Fazal, and a number of dairy farms around 369/EB village.

The handout added that the postmortem examinations of the dead animals were conducted and their samples along with the samples of fodder and wanda (feed for animals) were collected and sent for chemical examination to the laboratory.

It further claimed that treatment of the affected animalshas been started and would continue till the receipt of test results, adding that livestock department staff has been deployed in the affected villages to provide round-theclock treatment to the affected animals.

GANG BUSTED: The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) Multan cyber crime wing claimed to have busted a gang allegedly involved in Rs2 billion trading and investment scam.

The FIA claimed to have arrested three gang members, Zahid Siddique, Imtisal Akram and Iqbal. According to officials, the suspect, Zahid Siddique, was arrested from Lahore airport, while he was attempting to flee the country.

FIA claimed that after hisarrest Siddique disclosed the names of his two accomplices, Imtisal and Iqbal, who were also arrested in a raid in Model Town, Multan.

FIA officials say the gang deprived over 200 people of their money on the pretext of forex trading.

The officials claimed that the audit of the suspects bank statements and and their company`s records, their involvement in the scam has been confirmed.

Their mobile devices and other digital accessories have also been seized and their names have been placed on the exit control list, they added.

The FIA is continuing raids for the arrest of the suspects remaining accomplices, they said.