Untimely demise: Two minors among seven killed over Eid

Five of the deceased were murdered in separate incidents across Hazara

ABBOTTABAD: At least seven individuals, including two minors, were killed during Eid holidays in different parts of Hazara. The police confirmed that seven people were killed.

The first incident was reported in a village of Mansehra. According to the police, a father gunned down his six-year-old son. The culprit, identified as Safdar, son of Khan Ji, shot his son Muzamil when he insisted on visiting his mother. The police reported that the mother was living at her parents’ house after a marital dispute with her husband.

The accused initially claimed that his brother killed his son. Later, he voluntarily confessed to the murder of the boy who was constantly crying for the mother.

Meanwhile, a teenage boy was axed and shot to death by unidentified individuals. His body was dumped near his house and recovered 48 hours after he went missing. The victim, identified as Jafar, 18, was a resident of Gala Ghazikot in Mansehra. He went missing on the eve of Eidul Azha and his body was found near his house on the second day of Eid. The police said the boy was axed and shot to death.

On the other hand, reckless driving claimed the life of a seven-year-old. The victim, identified as Rahim Nasir, a resident of Swati Colony, was standing by the roadside when a high roof van ran him over. He was taken to Ayub Medical Complex, doctors pronounced him dead on arrival. The accused driver, Khan Muhammad, was arrested.

The third incident was reported from Chinar Road, Abbottabad where a teenage boy, later identified as Ahmed Zeb, 16, died after suffering a head injury. He was peddling on his bike on Chinar Road on the first day of Eid when he met an accident.

In yet another incident, two cousins were gunned down, while a third cousin was injured when a rival group opened fire at their van near Hasan Bai Road on the first day of Eid.

According to the police, Malik Iftikhar Khan and his cousin Ali Asghar of Kriplian village were on their way back home after sacrificing their animals. Naeem Anwar and his three brothers allegedly ambushed their van, killing both on the spot.

Another cousin, Fareed, was critically injured. The police said the motive behind double murder was a property dispute. Meanwhile, in Chanjil village of Battagram Juma Khan was also gunned down over a family feud.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 16^th, 2016.