According to a report, around 800 mourners gathered at Central Imambargah Qasr-e-Aal-e-Imran on Aashur day in Phalia. They attempted to takes out Zuljinah procession without legal permission, which infuriated Sunnies of the area and they started pelting stones on the mourners. After some time firing began and three Sunnies, Mian Khan s/o Sakoon r/o Phalia and two others were seriously wounded.

Announcements regarding their death were made in nearby mosques and hundreds of Sunnies gathered there. Meanwhile, the injured Mian Khan died at THQ Hospital Phalia and the Sunnies went berserk with anger. They attacked the house of Tehrik-e-Islami Punjab SVP Syed Ijaz Hussain Naqvi�s house, who had been house-detained for the last three days. The angry mob set the house on fire and gunned down him on the spot. Some of the Shia people were badly burnt.

The exchange of fire and stone-pelting continued for about two hours, in which 53 people were seriously injured, out of which 15 including six policemen were in critical condition at THQ Hospital Phlaia, DHQ Hospital MB Din Lahore and Gujrat Hospitals.

Phalia Police, along with Ranges and Elite Force, cordoned off the area and arrested about 150 people, and registered cases against 700 people. The FIR has been sealed for security purpose.

On Wednesday, for the funeral of both the dead persons, strict security measures were taken, and Gujrat-Sargodha Road and Gujrat-MB Din Road were closed for traffic. Rangers along with police conducted raids to arrest suspects while there was complete shutter down at Phalia. Advisor to CM Dr Zafar Cheema, who is at MB Din to monitor law and order, hosted a lunch at Rasool Rest House, but the mediamen boycotted it.

Meanwhile, DCO Mandi Bahauddin Sheikh Abdus Sattar confirmed the death of two persons during Phalia mishap. In a meeting with mediamen he said the rumours about the death of five persons were baseless. "My office issued a handout, but due to negligence of local District Information Office, media and the public could not know the facts, which resulted in rumours," he said. He said peace had been restored in the area and the situation was totally under control.

Chief Minister Punjab Ch Pervaiz Elahi has ordered a probe into the killing of two people at Phalia and termed it unfortunate. The death of TIP leader and another believer was sad, he said. "The people who caused these deaths are not sincere with religion and the nation.

He appealed to the peaceful citizens of all sects to play their due roll in creating religious harmony. He expressed sympathy with bereaved families and assured them that culprits would not be spared.

Agencies add: At least eight people died due to over-bleeding during mourning in Jhang, Sialkot, Kasur, Khairpur Tamewali, Karor Lal Eisan and Gilgat on Tuesday while 344 seriously injured were hospitalised in Punjab alone. "We have received information from different cities of Punjab and Gilgit that eight mourners lost their lives due to over-bleeding, two each in Jhang, Gilgit, one each in Kasur, Sialkot, Khairpur Tamewali (Bahawalpur) and Karore Lal Eisan (In Leiah district) Shafqat Hasnain Bhutta," Chief of Anjuman Tahaffuz-e-Azadari, Pakistan said. "Some 344 people injured themselves in Multan, Khanewal, Bahawalpur, Dera Ghazi Khan and other districts of Punjab as they used swords, knives-chains and scalpels etc," he added.