Police stumped by five mysterious murders in Gujranwala

One headless body was found in fields

GUJRANWALA:

The city police have failed to trace those who brutally killed five people in Gujranwala even after lapse of two months.

Among the victims, three young individuals were kidnapped and killed, one was discovered dead in a sack, and another was slain on a road.

Despite ongoing investigations by law enforcement, the perpetrators behind these heinous acts continue to evade justice.

One victim, Wasim Parvez, who recently returned to Pakistan from Greece after 15 years, met a tragic end within just a month of his arrival.

While riding a motorcycle with his cousin in the Nawan Pind area of Arup police station, Wasim fell victim to a targeted killing.

The assailants ruthlessly fired multiple bullets at him, separating him from his cousin and ultimately claiming his life.

Despite the existence of CCTV footage capturing the incident, authorities have struggled to uncover concrete evidence in the case, leaving Wasim's family bereft of closure.

Similarly, in February, Salman, a 22-year-old resident of the Abdal neighbourhood, was abducted and later found dead with severed head in a nearby field. Although a kidnapping report was filed with the police, no substantial evidence has been gathered in the murder investigation.

Inspector Armaghan, overseeing the Homicide Unit, expressed concerns that one of the victims, a liberal young man, may have been targeted in the name of honour.

He said despite the challenging circumstances, law enforcement officials have assured the public that these cases remain a top priority.

In another case, Zeeshan, a factory worker, was abducted, prompting his family to receive a ransom demand of Rs5 million. Despite their efforts to comply with the demand, Zeeshan's lifeless body was discovered the following day, further underscoring the rampant lawlessness plaguing the region.

Meanwhile, in the Muridke neighbourhood of Lahore, the lifeless body of Bilal, a young man from the Jhangi neighbourhood, was found with his hands and feet bound.

Police claimed to have detaining two suspects and expressing optimism about its eventual resolution.

In a separate incident, the unidentified body of a 50-year-old man was discovered in a sack in Ladhewala, Waraich, adding to the growing list of unsolved mysteries haunting the community.

Despite the tireless efforts of law enforcement agencies, several cases remain unresolved, leaving families clamouring for justice.

As the search for answers continues, residents remain hopeful that those responsible for these senseless acts of violence will be swiftly apprehended and brought to justice, bringing much-needed closure to grieving families and restoring a sense of security to the city of Gujranwala.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 22^nd, 2024.