Murdered boy was ‘lured through online game’

Police arrest three suspects in the case

LAHORE:

The suspected killers of a 13-year-old child after sexual assault had reportedly befriended him through an online game, PUBG.

This was disclosed by Lahore DIG Investigations Shariq Jamal during a press conference at his office on Thursday.

Jamal said police had arrested three suspects, Atta Ullah, Mussawar Iqbal and Muhammad Naveed, in the case. The investigation had revealed that they had befriended the victim, a resident of Raiwind, during online interaction but their relationship had soured, he added. He said the suspects had developed a grudge against the boy for avoiding meeting them. They hatched a plan to teach him a lesson.

The suspects abducted the victim and took him to Nankana Sahib, where they sexually assaulted him and then shot him dead.

The DIG also disclosed the arrest of a man suspected of sexually assaulting his daughter repeatedly over a long time. He said Boota Masih had been subjecting the victim to sexual violence for over two years. One day, his wife caught him red handed. He harassed her and tried to force her to keep silent, but the woman lodged a case. The suspect also threw hot tea at his wife, causing burn injuries. Jamal said police were investigating the matter further after arresting the suspect.

Regarding investigation into a case of the murder of a man by his son, the office said Ali Hassan was annoyed with his father Babar Butt because he tortured his mother. The suspect hatched a plan to rid his mother of the torture and with the help of his friend Hashir. He shot Babar dead and fled from the scene.

Jamal also said that the killing of a 35-year-old woman in Kot Lakhpat had turned out to be a murder during robbery and the suspect was her neighbour. The victim identified as Mehwish was in her house when the suspect identified as Shahzeb Riasat barged in and tried steal valuables. When the victim offered resistance, he stabbed and later strangled her to death.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 22^nd, 2021.