Teenager killed, suspect injured in police encounter

SP claims suspects opened fire forcing police to retaliate

LAHORE: A 14-year-old boy was killed while a suspect was injured on Tuesday, after the Dolphin Squad opened fire while in pursuit of a vehicle.

A team from the Dolphin Squad was on patrol near Shadbagh, when they spotted five men in a vehicle whose number plate seemed suspicious. Officials signalled for the car to stop, however, the suspects in the car ignored their instructions and tried to escape.

While chasing the men, the Dolphin Squad opened fire which killed 14-year-old Saleem, who returning after purchasing something from a nearby store. In addition to this, 25-year-old Atif, who was one of the suspects, also sustained bullet injuries.



After chasing the men, police succeeded in apprehending them and taking them into custody. Apart from Atif, police have identified one other suspect, Nazar Abbas.

SP Nadeem Khokar said that during the chase, the suspects opened fire which forced police to retaliate. “The individuals in the vehicle were wanted in robbery cases in Sheikhupura, NanKanah Sahib and other districts in Punjab.”

He claimed that the suspects had a criminal record and had rented a car to travel to Lahore with the intent to loot and rob citizens.

However, several eye witnesses offered a different version of the event. Bystanders claimed that the people in the vehicle did not fire bullets at police.

Meanwhile, a large number of protesters, including family members and relatives of the slain teenager, staged a protest on Ring Road. They placed the deceased’s body on the road, blocking traffic and demanded that a case be registered against the officials involved in the death of the child. Further investigations are underway.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 30^th, 2018.