ISLAMABAD: The owner of a private housing society was gunned down and his partner, two security guards and a driver were injured in a targeted attack here on Friday, police said.

The deceased, identified as Mirza Naveed, also a lawyer, and his partner Malik Tahir were on bail in connection with a case registered against them in the Banigala police station under section 7 of the Anti-Terrorism Act (ATA) and 302, 324, 341, 447, 511, 109, 506ii, 148 and 149 of Pakistan Penal Code (PPC) on January 28.

They were riding a Vigo escorted by guards on another vehicle when some gunmen riding another SUV opened indiscriminate fire on them on Ninth Avenue.

Police reached the spot and shifted all the injured to hospital where Naveed was pronounced dead. The police said he had sustained five bullet injuries.

Medical assistance was provided to Malik Tahir, the two guards and the driver. They were kept in the hospital under the observation of doctors, the police said, adding their condition was critical.

Police say deceased, injured were on bail in connection with case registered against them on Jan 28

The case was registered against the two owners along with 105 other people in response to a complaint filed by Tassaduq Hussain Shah, a resident of Malot on Jan 28. The complainant alleged that the nominated people tried to grab his land and also shot dead Gulbaz and injured Nasir Hussain Shah.

On April 22, a case under section 302, 506ii, 148 and 149 was registered against Tassaduq Hussain Shah in connection with the killing of Tanveer Ahmed over another land dispute.

When contacted, Senior Superintendent of Police (Operations) Dr Syed Mustafa Tanweer told Dawn that both Naveed and Tahir were on bail granted by the sessions court of Islamabad. However, the bail was challenged in the Islamabad High Court and its last hearing was held on Sept 6. Subdivisional Police Officer Banigala ASP Hayder Ali added that Naveed and Tahir were booked in a case in January. All the legal proceedings were conducted after they obtained bail to prevent more incidents, he added.

Another senior police officer told Dawn on condition of anonymity that the police arrested Naveed and Tahir but they later obtained bail.

However, the accused nominated in the case registered in connection with the murder of Tanveer Ahmed on April 22 neither obtained bail nor were arrested by the police.

In July, the complainant of the case against Tassaduq Hussain approached the SSP investigation seeking the transfer of the investigation by alleging that the police were favouring the accused. In response, the SSP investigation asked the SP Saddar to inquire the matter, he added.

A letter issued in this regard stated that the applicant of the case alleged that the investigating officer had taken wrong meaning of an inquiry conducted by his officers on which the accused withdrew their bail application from the court.

“Therefore, you (SP Saddar) are directed to inquire the matter personally and submit a report within seven days,” it added.

The officer said the inquiry into the matter was still pending.

Published in Dawn, September 25th, 2021