ISLAMABAD, July 25: A taxi driver lost his vehicle to a gang of three in Chirah jungle overnight but saved his life by killing the one left to guard him, police said on Wednesday.

Nilor police have registered a case of robbery on the complaint of the taxi driver, Wajid Hussain, 28, but have simultaneously charged him with Qatl-i-Khata (justifiable homicide).

Police investigating officer SI Mohammad Ishaq identified the deceased robber to Dawn as Mohammad Waseem. SI Ishaq quoted Wajid as saying Waseem hired his taxi at Sabzi Mandi for Chirah village. On the way, two other persons boarded the taxi.

His anxiety over Chirah’s reputation of being homeground to outlaws and fugitives became a reality when the three put a gun to Wajid’s head demanding that drive on beyond the inhabited area and into the infamous jungle.

Once three or four kilometres inside the jungle, all disembarked and one of the robbers immediately drove his taxi, a 1998 model Mehran.

Waseem, who had originally hired the taxi, and an accomplice stayed back to keep an eye on Wajid until they decide what to do with him. After some time, the accomplice left to fetch some food, handing his pistol to Waseem.

According to Wajid, for the next two or three hours Waseem kept threatening him, asking him to recite Kalma before he kills him.

And he all the time pleaded for mercy, in the name of his little children.

But, at some point he found Waseem off-guard and aimed his head with a stone that hit dozing Waseem smack and he fell down. Wajid said he then snatched the pistol from him and smashed his head with its butt.

With his bloodied tormentor lying unconscious, he got his chance to escape. After an hour of running, he hit Chirah outskirts and narrated his ordeal to the villagers who called the police.Soon Nilor police arrived, and guided by Wajid and the villagers located the crime scene where they found Waseem lying dead. Although Wajid has been booked for justifiable homicide, police have not arrested him for he killed the man in self-defence.

Autopsy on Waseem’s body found multiple fractures in his head but no bullet wound.

Police however said that Wajid will be produced before a court for legal action.