Gang war claims another life
The longstanding feud spanning over three decades between two prominent underworld families of the walled city has taken a deadly turn yet again, with Khawaja Aqeel alias Gogi Butt and Khawaja Tareef alias Teefi Butt now implicated in an FIR related to the murder of 32-year-old Ameer Balaj Tipu.
The incident occurred at a private housing society in Chung, where Balaj was attending the wedding of his childhood friend's younger brother. Suddenly, he was fatally shot by an unidentified assailant.
This attack adds another chapter to the history of violence between the two families. Balaj's father, Arif Amir alias Tipu Truckanwala, was murdered in 2010 at the Allama Iqbal International Airport parking lot, with Gogi and Teefi Butt allegedly behind the orchestration of the crime. Khuram Butt, serving a life sentence for the murder, was identified as the shooter.
Balaj himself had survived numerous attempts on his life, including an attack outside the civil courts in Lahore, where he sustained severe injuries and lost five of his guards.
The Butt brothers, along with former inspector Abid Boxer, were accused in this incident as well.
Tragically, Ameer Balaj's grandfather, Ameerul Din alias Billa Truckanwala, also fell victim to the ongoing feud when he was shot dead outside his residence in Shah Alam Market.
The recent attack on Balaj occurred as guests were departing from the wedding ceremony. The assailant, pretending to take a selfie, pulled out a gun and fired at Balaj, who was surrounded by guards, friends, and hosts. Despite efforts to defend themselves, Balaj sustained fatal injuries along with others present.
Published in The Express Tribune, February 20th 2024.