Official gunned down in burglary

Three armed suspects at large, police mount manhunt

DIJKOT:

Suspected bandits allegedly shot and killed a food safety officer for resisting a robbery in Yusuf Town. Police took possession of the body and shifted it to the hospital and started searching for the suspects. Taking notice of the incident, the city police officer sought a report from SP Iqbal Town and formed special teams to arrest the accused. There have been three murder and robbery incidents during the year so far.

On Wednesday night, four armed suspects entered the home of Muhammad Farooq, a retired social security officer residing in Main Bazar Yusuf Town. They took his family members hostage at gunpoint and ordered them to hand over money received upon Farooq's retirement.

Meanwhile, 38-year-old food safety officer Umair Farooq was informed about the incident and when he arrived home, he resisted the robbery bid. Umair grabbed one of the suspects but as he began fighting the second, a third accomplice shot Umair in the chest and he fell and got injured. He was being transferred to the hospital, but succumbed to his injuries on the way. The suspects fled the house with mobile phones and cash.

SSP Operation Hasan Javed Bhatti, SSP Investigation Rai Ajmal Khan, SP Iqbal Town Usman Munir Safi, DSP Sadar Wasim Faraz, SHO Sadar Rai Aftab Wasim and Mobile Officer Muzaffar Ali Muqas reached the spot upon receiving information about the robbery-cum-murder. They took possession of Umair’s body, shifted it to the hospital for a post-mortem and started searching for the robbers.

According to sources, Umair Farooq was the father of two children and was posted in Faisalabad to perform his duties in Lahore Sahiwal. He was present in Abdullahpur with friends at the time of the incident.

City Police Officer Captain (Rtd) Muhammad Ali Zia, took notice of the matter, sought a report from SP Iqbal Town Usman Munir Safi and formed special teams to arrest the accused. Raids are currently underway to arrest the absconding suspects.

District gripped by crime

CPO Muhammad Ali Zia said a district police launched a crackdown against criminal elements during the month of January 2024. According to statistics, 361 absconding accused, including 531 wanted accused, were arrested by city police during the past month. As many as 845 cases were registered against illegal weapon holders and 387 pistols, 20 rifles, 22 guns, 10 Kalashnikovs, 8 pistols, 2 revolvers, and 1,362 rounds of ammunition were recovered.

Similarly, 390 cases were registered against suspected drug peddlers. During the crackdown, 113.015 kilograms of hashish, 1.760 kilograms of heroin, 6.360 kilograms of opium and 3,647 litres of alcohol were also recovered.

Moreover, 57 cases were registered against the gambling mafia, 19 cases pertaining to fake number plates, 31 cases for violating kite-flying act and 92 cases of gas refilling were registered across the district. Faisalabad police also registered 15 cases against tenancy.

The CPO said that the police crackdown will remain ongoing to suppress criminal elements and steps are being taken for the monitoring and arrest of criminals at the police station, circle and town level, including a new strategy for effective patrolling, elite and dolphin force.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 2^nd, 2024.