The killings on Monday during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan sent a wave of panic and anger across the country.

Witnesses said the gunmen fired randomly at the congregation in Karam Dad Qureshi, a remote Punjab village some 35 km (21 miles) east of Multan.

There was a complete strike in the village and its nearby towns during the ceremony, but officials say the funeral service ended without any major violence.

Suspects held

Several members of a hardline Sunni Muslim group, Sipah-E-Sahabah, were arrested on suspicion of their involvement in the shootings. Officials say the real killers are still at large and raids are being carried out for their arrest.

The authorities are convinced that the incident is part of the continuing armed conflict between the extremist groups belonging to the majority Sunni and minority Shi'ite Muslim communities.

The two groups have remained locked in a bitter conflict for the many years over the interpretation of Islamic teachings.

Officials say as a precautionary measure security has been increased outside most of the mosques in Punjab province to avoid any possible retaliation by the rival Shi'ite group.