Man killed in Lakki police encounter
PHOTO: FILE
A man was killed in a police encounter when police raided his house to recover an abducted girl in Lakki Marwat district of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) on Saturday night.
Police told The Express Tribune, the accused, Hikmatullah, already married, had developed feelings for his 14-year-old cousin, Sobia Bibi, a student in the eighth grade. His advances were met with rejection by the girl’s father, who pointed out her status as a minor still pursuing her education.
Undeterred, Hikmatullah resorted to a drastic and unlawful course of action. He forcibly kidnapped Sobia at gunpoint one day, as she returned from school with her brother.
Both the girl and her abductor vanished from sight, but Sobia managed to send her location discreetly to her parents via her mobile phone. This critical message prompted the parents to alert the police, leading to a swift response.
The police, armed with this vital information, conducted a raid on the location where the accused was hiding. However, the situation took a dark turn when Hikmatullah, in a desperate act, first took the life of Sobia and then engaged the police in a deadly exchange of gunfire.
In response, the police had no choice but to return fire, resulting in the fatal encounter. The entire tragic episode unfolded over the course of four days, beginning with the girl’s abduction on September 19 and concluding with the encounter on September 23, within the vicinity of Wanda Shahabudin.
This horrifying incident sent shockwaves through the community, particularly among parents who were now gripped with fear and anxiety. The fact that the abduction occurred at gunpoint in broad daylight, right in the presence of the girl’s elder brother, underscored the urgency of addressing such security concerns.
A local resident expressed his anguish, revealing the impact on his own life.
Published in The Express Tribune, September 25th, 2023.