NAROWAL: Three persons, including two women, were shot dead over alleged theft of goats at village Ratian Khurd on Tuesday.

Faiz Ahmed, a resident of Ratian Khurd, was allegedly accused of stealing goats. On Monday too, there was a dispute between Faiz Ahmed and local residents over the theft of goats.

On Tuesday, two armed men broke into Faiz’ house and opened indiscriminate fire with automatic weapons. As a result of the firing, 60-year-old Faiz Ahmed, 52-year-old Shamim Bibi and 45-year-old Hanifaan were seriously injured. After the firing, the suspects fled from the spot.

Rescue 1122 immediately reached the spot but Hanifaan and Faiz Ahmed had already died.

Rescue 1122 shifted Shamim to the District Headquarters Hospital Narowal but she died on the way to hospital.

The Narowal Sadder Police Station sent the bodies of the three victims to hospital for post-mortem.

District Police Officer Naveed Malik took notice of the incident and formed a team, headed by DSP Malik Muhammad Khalil, for the immediate arrest of the suspects. The suspects could not be identified.

ASI martyred: An assistant sub-inspector (ASI) of Punjab police was martyred in firing by unknown motorcyclists in Sheikhupura on Tuesday.

ASI Muhammad Nawaz of the Punjab Highway Patrol in Sheikhupura signaled some motorcycle riders to stop during his duty. Instead of stopping, the suspects opened fire on the police team.

ASI Muhammad Nawaz was martyred on the spot after being hit by the gunfire.

After the shooting, the suspects fled the scene, brandishing their weapons.

Upon receiving information about the incident, a heavy police force arrived at the scene. Sheikhupura police blocked the entrance and exit routes of the district to facilitate the immediate arrest of the suspects.

The funeral prayers of ASI Malik Muhammad Nawaz, who was martyred in the encounter near the Taba Rahmat area of Sheikhupura, was held at Iftikhar Police Lines.

Additional IG Patrol Police Punjab Rao Abdul Karim Khan, DIG Patrol Police Athar Waheed, RPO Sheikhupura Athar Ismail, DPO Bilal Zafar Sheikh, Deputy Commissioner Dr. Waqar Ali Khan, and other officers and employees of Sheikhupura Police attended the funeral. Political and social figures also participated in large numbers.

Inspector General of Police Dr Usman Anwar paid tribute to the martyred ASI and issued orders for the immediate arrest of the suspects.

He stated that the police department would take all possible care of the family of Shaheed ASI.

Published in Dawn, July 17th, 2024