Two killed in shooting over land dispute

KARACHI:

Two persons, including a 15-year-old boy, were killed in a shooting incident in Gulistan-e-Jauhar's Bhittai Abad near Baloch Chowk on Monday night, police said, linking the deadly violence to a land dispute between two groups.

The victims were identified as 15-year-old Sharom Masih, a passerby who was shot while fetching milk, and 30-year-old Talha Shah, a local office-bearer of Pakistan Muslim League (Functional). The assailants managed to flee the scene.

Police sources said Adnan Bhatti and two accomplices were involved in the attack. Ten 9mm shell casings were recovered from the scene, and investigators are reviewing CCTV footage to trace the suspects.

According to police, the incident occurred around 11.45pm when unidentified motorcyclists opened fire near Baloch Chowk. Both victims were rushed to a nearby hospital in Gulistan-e-Jauhar. Talha Shah was later shifted to JPMC after being pronounced dead, while Sharom Masih's body was also moved to JPMC for legal formalities.

Sharom was an eighth-grade student at a nearby English-medium school and the only brother of two sisters. His father works as a mason. Family said he had been at his maternal grandmother's house over the weekend and was sent home on Monday night, after which he went out to fetch milk and became an unintended victim of the shooting. Talha Shah, from Dhani Bux Goth, was the youngest among five brothers and worked in furniture manufacturing.