ISLAMABAD: An anti-terrorism court (ATC) on Monday granted the police another seven-day physical remand of suspect Saad Abbasi, who was arrested for allegedly murdering Pakistan Air Force Group Captain Asim Tariq.

On July 5, the PAF group captain was martyred in Islamabad in a bid to save a woman as the suspect was trying to take her away “forcefully”. As Tariq intervened, Abbasi opened fire, which struck the officer.

The Islamabad police had arrested the suspect within nine hours after the incident.

ATC Judge Abul Hasnat Muhammad Zulqarnain heard the case on Monday. Abbasi was produced before the court after the completion of his initial seven-day physical remand.

During the hearing, Prosecutor Raja Naveed Hussain Kayani appeared before the court and sought a further 15-day physical remand of the suspect.

The prosecutor informed the court that the pistol allegedly used in the murder had been recovered, adding that the perpetrator had allegedly hidden the weapon after the incident.

The prosecution further submitted that the accused’s mobile phone was yet to be recovered and that additional physical remand was required for further investigation.

After hearing the arguments, the court reserved its decision. Later, it approved an additional seven-day physical remand of Abbasi and handed him over to the police for further investigation.

The court directed the police to produce the suspect before it again on August 3.