BHAKKAR: A long-simmering land dispute turned deadly in Basti Chandia on Friday, claiming seven lives — including a father and his two sons — and exposing once again the lethal consequences of intolerance and unchecked feuds in rural Pakistan.
According to police, armed men opened fire during a heated altercation over agricultural land in Mithu Bando, Nautak Nasheeb, an area falling within the jurisdiction of Bahl police station.
Five people were killed on the spot, while two others succumbed to injuries before medical aid could arrive. Three more were wounded and shifted to DHQ Hospital Bhakkar, where their condition was stated to be critical.
Police sources said all the deceased were cousins, and three brothers were among those gunned down. The sudden eruption of violence spread panic in the village, with residents shutting themselves indoors as heavy gunfire echoed through the area.
CM Punjab @MaryamNSharif must take immediate action on bone chilling killing of five people over land dispute in Bhakar. @CMComplaintCell @TareenP10265 @GovtofPunjabPK @OfficialDPRPP https://t.co/ksdMDIGh4T
— Zahid Gishkori (@ZahidGishkori) April 25, 2026
SHO Bahl police station, accompanied by a large contingent, reached the site soon after the incident was reported. The area was cordoned off and the situation brought under control. “We have collected evidence from the scene and registered a case. Raids are being conducted to arrest the suspects,” the SHO told Dawn, adding that initial investigation points to an old rivalry over land ownership.
Basti Chandia has witnessed disputes over land boundaries for years, but locals say the increasing use of firearms to settle civil matters reflects a broader erosion of dialogue and legal recourse. “People are no longer willing to wait for courts or jirgas. The first response is bullets,” said a village elder, who requested anonymity for fear of reprisal.
Human rights observers note that Bhakkar, like several other districts in southern Punjab, has seen a disturbing rise in violent settlement of personal and property disputes. The lack of timely adjudication, easy access to weapons, and weakening community mediation mechanisms have combined to make disagreements fatal.
Friday’s killings add to a grim pattern across the country where intolerance — whether over land, sectarian lines, or petty arguments — is increasingly settled through violence rather than law. Police said further investigation was under way and post-mortem examinations of the victims had been completed.
Funeral prayers for the deceased were expected to be held later in the day amid tight security, as authorities moved to prevent further escalation between the rival groups.
