Minority LG member killed in Rawalpindi

Unidentified assailant walked into Shaukat Masih’s tailor shop and killed him

RAWALPINDI: A minority councillor of local government was shot dead by an unidentified assailant at Trolley Stop within the remits of Sadiqabad police station.

Shaukat Masih, a tailor by profession, was brought to Benazir Bhutto Hospital (BBH) in critical condition with multiple gunshot wounds but he died due to excessive bleeding, police said quoting hospital officials.

According to police, Masih was in his shop when an unidentified assailant walked in and shot him with a hand gun.

Officials said that investigations into the murder were at an initial stage and they had yet to ascertain the motive behind the killing.

Eyewitnesses turn blind

The people from the community were apparently reluctant to testify in the case and no one saw the gunman walk in and out of the shop in broad day light.

According to investigators, eyewitnesses told the police that they had heard gun shots and when they reached the shop, Masih was found lying in a pool of his own blood.

Moreover, locals had rushed Masih to the BBH, where he died during treatment.

According to sources, the representative of the minority community had been receiving threats and used to keep a licenced pistol with him. Police also recovered Masih’s pistol from his shop.

Two killed in armed clash

In another incident, two people were killed and three injured in a gangland clash in Doltala Chowk.

According to police Raja Asif and Wajid carried an old grudge and had a fight on Tuesday night. However, the area people intervened and prevented a clash, said police.

Later on Wednesday, both the men returned with their supporters at Doltala Chowk and exchanged harsh words.

Suddenly, Arif and his men stopped talking, pulled out their guns and started shooting at Wajid and his gang.

Having decimated their adversaries, Arif and the gang fled.

On receiving a complaint, police rushed to the crime scene. By the time Wajid and his and Rizwan were rushed to the hospital, they had died. Ibrar, Talat and Safeer were treated for their injuries.

The Jatli police have registered a case and are investigating the incident.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 27^th, 2017.