Man dies in fire under mysterious circumstances

Police suspect murder coverup as fire erupts at local newspaper office near Faizabad area

ISLAMABAD:

A man died in mysterious circumstances after a fire erupted in the office of a local newspaper in the Faizabad area in the I-9 police limits.

Police termed the case suspicious and launched an investigation. Police said that the fire may have been set to cover up the murder.

The unidentified person had suffered severe burns and NADRA’s help had been sought to ascertain his identity. The management of the newspaper has also termed the matter suspicious and demanded an investigation.

A spokesperson for the Rescue 1122 said that fire tenders and other rescue teams were dispatched to the scene after receiving information about a fire in the office of a local newspaper early in the morning.

He said that after the fire was brought under control, rescue teams found the charred body of a man and the police were immediately called to the scene.

He said that police officials from I-9 Police Station reached the spot and collected the charred body.

Police said that it seemed that the victim had been tortured before killing him and setting the office on fire to cover up the murder.

Police said that the body was beyond recognition. Forensic teams have collected evidence from the spot. The newspaper’s management has told the police that unknown persons have tried to trap the management by locking the victim in the office and setting it on fire.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 20^th, 2023.