A mob beat three people to death over allegations of cattle theft in Kaliakair upazila of Gazipur early today.

During the incident, locals also set fire to a pickup van allegedly used by the victims.

The identities of the three individuals could not be known immediately, said police.

Kaliakair Police Station Inspector (Operations) Md Robiul Islam said the incident took place in Bagchala Bazar area of the upazila early Sunday.

According to witnesses, a suspected gang of cattle thieves was passing through the Bagchala area in a pickup van. Locals were alerted and chased them down. The suspects were caught and beaten by the mob. Later, the pickup van was set on fire.

On information, police went to the scene and rescued the three critically injured men before taking them to Shaheed Tajuddin Ahmad Medical College Hospital, where doctors declared them dead.

Officer-in-Charge (OC) of Kaliakair Police Station Shahidul Islam said legal action will be taken after investigation.