SUKKUR, Sept 24: Two persons were killed and four others were injured over a Karo-kari dispute at the Rohri date market in Sukkur district on Tuesday. According to the Rohri police, members of the Lakhan community opened fire in the date market resulting in the deaths of 21-year-old Kulsoom Lakhan and 25-year-old Shahzado Mirani. Both victims died on the spot.

One of the alleged shooters, Malik Nawaz Lakhan, and passers-by Ajay Kumar, Hazara Khan Chohan and Imam Bux Chohan were also injured.

A police contingent led by Rohri DSP Haji Masood Mahar reached the spot and arrested the five men involved in the shooting. They were identified as Rab Nawaz Lakhan, Dil Murad Lakhan, Shamshad Lakhan and Haq Nawaz Lakhan and an injured man, Malik Nawaz Lakhan. A repeater rifle and TT pistols were also seized from them.

Panic spread among the shoppers as they scrambled to hide or find cover.

The bodies were taken to the Rohri Taluka Hospital for a post-mortem examination after which they were handed over to the heirs.

The Rohri police said that around a dozen lives had been claimed by an old enmity between the Lakhan and Mirani communities. They said that lately the matter had been swept under the carpet but this alleged Karo-kari dispute caused the sparks to fly again.

Police said that they had begun patrolling Lakhan and Mirani villages to prevent more clashes from erupting.