Lucknow, Dec 5 (IANS): The Uttar Pradesh Police's Special Task Force (STF) arrested three persons from Noida on Monday in connection with the killing of a BJP leader, police said.

BJP leader Shiv Kumar was shot dead in Noida on November 16 and STF said the contract killing was ordered by Arun Yadav, who had allegedly given Rs 50 lakh to the shooters to kill Kumar, a police officer said.

The reason behind the killing was animosity emanating out of the death of the father of Arun Yadav, which he suspected was the handiwork of Kumar.

Of the arrested trio, Naresh Jaat had shot dead the BJP leader and his gunner, while Dharmdutt Sharma and one more person had tracked the movements of Shiv Kumar and gave detailed information of his whereabouts.

The STF also disclosed that the killings were executed by the shooters of the Anil Bhati gang. Bhati is nephew of dreaded mafiosi Sunder Bharti.

Shiv Kumar was an active BJP member and had canvassed majorly for Union Minister and Noida MP Mahesh Sharma.