Two CTD officers shot dead in Khanewal

Reports say accused had tea with officers before gunning them down

LAHORE:

Two officers of the Punjab Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) were shot dead by unidentified suspect(s) in the parking space of a hotel near Pirowal, Khanewal district on Tuesday.

Reportedly, the unidentified assailant had reached Bismillah Hotel half-an-hour before the arrival of the deceased officers, who were identified as Grade 19 officer Naveed Sadiq Sial and an inspector rank officer, Nasir Abbas.

They had reached the place in different vehicles.

The officers reportedly offered lunch to the suspect. However, he refused and the three had tea. Before leaving, Naveed reportedly cleared the bill amounting to Rs380.

All three left for the parking lot. The assailant’s bike was also parked in front of the deceased victims’ vehicles.

As the officers were just about to drive away in their vehicles, the assailant opened fire, leaving both dead on the spot and fled.

Gunshots created panic and fear among the nearby people.

Reportedly, the unidentified murderer was wearing a shawl concealing his weapon. He fled with the weapon in his hand.

Soon after, police reached the spot and cordoned off the area.

Punjab Additional IG South Sahibzada Shahzad Sultan also reached the spot.

He said that the perpetrators would be dealt with according to law.

Punjab Chief Minister Pervaiz Elahi offered his condolences over the demise of the officers and sought a report from the Punjab IG.

Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah said that the attack on CTD officers was condemnable, seeking reports from the IG as well as the chief secretary.

He expressed his concern over the poor law and order situation in the province.

Sial is reported to be the most-decorated ISI officer. He was reportedly an ISI officer and had been performing his duty in anti-terrorism activities in Multan.

He also served as deputy director of the Counter Terrorism Wing of ISI in Multan.

Sial was awarded Sitara-e-Shujat for his role in an operation leading to the elimination a high-ranking leader of Da’esh in Fasialabad and other anti-terrorism operations.

Alleged terrorist nabbed

An alleged terrorist of the outlawed Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan, who threatened to attack the Parliament House in a video, was arrested by the police with the help of intelligence agencies.

“A terrorist of the outlawed TTP had made a video from the Margalla Hills and shared it,” the police sources said.

In the video, they said, the banned TTP member also pointed towards the Parliament House.

The sources said that a case was being registered against the arrested alleged terrorist.