Pakistan

Suspects in teacher acid attack injured in police encounter

Police engage suspects riding a motorcycle in gunfire on GT Road

Muhammad Shehzad January 11, 2024

In the exchange of gunfire, both suspects, sustained bullet injuries. PHOTO: AFP

LAHORE:

Two suspects allegedly involved in a recent acid attack on a female school teacher were shot and injured in an encounter with the police in Shahdara Town on Thursday.

The incident occurred two days after the assailants had targeted the victim, Ayesha Riaz, a 22-year-old Chemistry teacher at a school in Rachna Town, Ferozwala.

According to police reports, law enforcement had established a picket near Kala Khatai T Point on GT Road when they noticed two suspicious individuals on a motorcycle. When the police signalled for a routine check, the suspects opened fire, prompting the officers to respond in self-defence.

In the exchange of gunfire, both suspects, identified as Yasir and Naveed, sustained bullet injuries.

Superintendent of Police (SP) Qazi Ali has confirmed that the injured suspects, Yasir and Naveed, have been taken to the hospital for treatment. Investigations into the matter are ongoing, and police have recovered the weapon used by the suspects during the encounter.

Read also: Suspect injured in ‘encounter’

Yasir and Naveed were allegedly involved in the acid attack on Ayesha Riaz, who had suffered severe burn injuries and was admitted to a nearby hospital for treatment after the assailants threw acid on her face and body. The victim, accompanied by her brother at the time of the attack, was en route to her school in Rachna Town.

Two suspects were apprehended following the acid attack. Umar Farooq, a prime suspect, was captured at Sialkot International Airport while attempting to flee to Dubai, and Ghulam Mustafa, another suspect linked to the case, were arrested on Tuesday.

Ayesha Riaz's assault took place on January 9, sparking an investigation by the police, who filed an FIR.

It was revealed that Umar Farooq, the primary suspect, had previously proposed to the victim, and the proposal had been rejected. This rejection allegedly motivated Farooq to carry out the heinous attack as an act of revenge.