The custodian of a shrine in Sargodha has confessed to torturing and murdering at least 20 disciples, including four women, on Saturday, police said.

According to Geo News, the suspect, Abdul Waheed, who is custodian of Darbar Ali Muhammad Gujjar shrine in Chak-95 of Sargodha, in Punjab province, used a dagger and sticks to kill his victims.

Sargodha Deputy Commissioner Liaquat Ali Chatta said Waheed had phoned the victims, telling them to come to the shrine. Six of the deceased belonged to the same family.

Speaking to Geo News, Chatta said Waheed and his accomplices first intoxicated the disciples then tortured them with machetes and batons, eventually killing them.

A few people managed to escape, in an injured condition, from the shrine. One of them reported the crime to locals who then informed the police, Geo News reported.

Another official told the media the deceased people's bodies were found unclothed.