Ranchi, Sept. 4: Suspected PLFI rebels last night barged into the house of one Rahul Swansi, whom they suspected was seeking entry into their rival Jainath Sahu group, also known as the Samrat group, dragged him out along with two of his friends and shot them at Kasira village in Karra, 15km from Khunti district headquarters, 50km from Ranchi.

Residents, who found bullet-riddled bodies of Rahul (18) and Samrat group members Mukesh Singh (18) and Anil Singh (16) near a canal this morning, informed police.

According to a source Mukesh, originally from Lapung in Ranchi district, and Anil, a Khunti boy, who had been putting up at Rahul's home in Kasira village, were asleep when at least six armed men attacked the house.

South Chhotanagpur range DIG R.K. Dhan today rushed to the spot soon after getting the information.

Khunti SP Anish Gupta said preliminary probe suggested the role of PLFI.

"Mukesh and Anil were actively associated with the Jainath Sahu group, which is at loggerheads with the PLFI. Rahul was also seeking membership with the Jainath Sahu group through his friends. The PLFI suspected two of its supporters were murdered by these three teens in Lapung around two months ago. Since then, the trio were apparently staying together to deal with the eventualities," said the SP.

He added they were also investigating the case from other angles. "We hope to solve it soon," Gupta said.

Murder arrest

Two persons who shot dead dhaba owner Umesh Sahu in Gumla on August 30 were arrested last night from different locations of Bishunpur block. Jagannath Lohra and Babloo Lohra, during interrogations, confessed to have executed the crime at the behest Jharkhand Jan Mukti Parishad area commander Pankaj alias Anuj. After being produced before the judicial magistrate on Sunday, the duo were remanded to judicial custody for 14 days, following which they were sent to Gumla divisional jail. Raids are on to nab Pankaj.

On the fateful day, the duo had come on a bike, which they parked at a distance before Jagannath shot Sahu (47) dead near his home. One of the bullets hit his head, killing him on the spot. Gumla SP Chandan Jha said the duo abandoned the bike, which gave the police vital clues to lead to the arrests.