Four killed as rival factions trade fire
At least four people were killed while another was seriously injured in a shocking incident of murder in the Bagga Sheikhan area of Rawat police station.
According to sources, the incident took place over a long-standing enmity between the groups of Mubashir Siddiq and Jawwad alias Kala in which three people belonging to the former were killed and another was injured whereas a member of the latter also died in the clash.
The Rawat police registered a case of murder against the Jawwad group on the complaint of Mubashir, the heir of the three victims. The police also registered the cross version of the accused group.
According to the first information report (FIR) registered by the Rawat police, two of Mubashir's men, including Rizwan alias Raju and Muhammad Saqib, were released from jail after securing bail in a murder case a few days ago.
Noman Fazal of the Jawwad group visited Mubashir’s residence on the evening of September 10 with his armed guards to avenge his brother’s murder and opened fire. As a result, Muhammad Rizwan, Saqib, and Noman sustained firearm injuries.
The members of the Jawwad group put an injured, Noman, in the car and drove off towards the hospital. Meanwhile, Deen and Ehsan of the opposite party again opened fire at Chak Bailey Khan Road at 12.30pm and killed Muhammad Sajjad and Mudassar, while Rizwan, who was injured in the first incident of firing, also died after reaching the hospital. Saqib’s condition is stated to be critical.
On Mubashir’s complaint, the police registered case crime No. 1493 of 2023 against the opposing group under the provisions of murder, attempted murder and others.
They said the injured member of Jawwad’s group, Malik Noman, passed away while receiving treatment at the hospital following which the police registered a cross-version under the above FIR.
Punjab IGP seeks report
On the other hand, Punjab IGP Dr Usman Anwar while taking strict notice of the murder of four people sought a report from Regional Police Officer (RPO) Syed Khurram Ali.
The IGP also ordered Rawalpindi CPO Syed Khalid Mahmood Hamdani to form a special police team to arrest the absconding suspects.
In his statement, the IGP said: “Investigating every aspect of the incident, the perpetrators will soon be arrested and they will face punishment.”
Dr Anwar directed the supervisory officers to keep in touch with the families of the victims and spare no effort in providing swift justice at the earliest.
Eyewitnesses said severe panic and fear have gripped the area after the gruesome incident of murder and a heavy police presence was deployed.
The police were also put on high alert during the postmortem proceedings of the deceased at the Tehsil Headquarters Hospital (THQ), they said.
A spokesperson for the Rawalpindi police said the police were on high alert considering the tense situation in the neighbourhood.
Published in The Express Tribune, September 12th, 2023.