Three prisoners including a notorious criminal were today killed and four others injured when a gang war broke out in Bikaner jail in Bikaner, Rajasthan.

One of the criminal, Balbir Banuda, was shot dead by another jail inmate Jaiprakash who opened fire at him by a country made revolver in a jail barrack, Superintendent of Police Bikaner Santosh Chalke said.

However, during the firing by Jaiprakash, another hardcore criminal Anandpal Singh got injured, he said.

“In turn, Anandpal and other inmates thrashed and hit Jaiprakash and three others with stones leaving him and Rampal dead on the spot,” DIG Jail Bikaner range Dalip Jakhar said.

He said that two persons, including Anandpal Singh, were injured in firing and as many prisoners sustained injuries in the stone pelting.

Banuda was the member of Anandpal Singh gang and involved in several cases of murder and other crimes.

They were also involved in illegal liquor trade.

“The barracks are being searched for weapon, if any, and we are also identifying other members of the rival gangs so that any further possible clash could be prevented,” Jakhar said.

Banuda, who allegedly killed a Jat Mahasabha leader Gopal Phogawat in 2006, was arrested in Jaipur in 2012.

Meanwhile, the state government last night suspended superintendent of Bikaner central jail Surendra Singh Shekhawat with immediate effect.

He was suspended for the incident in which three prisoners have been murdered.

Further investigations into the matter are on, official sources said.