PESHAWAR: Unknown assailants shot dead three people, including a soldier of the paramilitary Frontier Corps, in the Mattani area on the outskirts of the provincial capital on Friday.

A police official said three relatives identified as Shahzad, Farooq and Usman were on way to Pasani Bazaar on a motorbike at around 10pm on Thursday night when they were attacked by unknown persons in Mallaky area.

Two of them died on the spot, while the third died on way to hospital. Shahzad was a soldier of the FC.

CCTV footage of the incident shows that two people carrying AK-47 rifles approached the slain, who are on a motorcycle. Upon seeing the assailants, they get off the bike quickly and one of them drew his pistol.

However, it was not clear whether he managed to open fire on the assailants or not. The assailants could be seen opening fire on one of the victims, and then fleeing the scene.

The Mattani police have registered an FIR against gunmen on the complaint of the family of the deceased.

Following the incident, locals closed down the Gulzar Chowk in protest against the murders.

A police official said they were investigating the incident from various angles.

Published in Dawn, July 25th, 2020