Key suspect in Ameer Balaj Tipu murder case killed by accomplices' gunfire

Ahsan Shah sustained critical injuries during the attack and died en route to the hospital, say police

Ahsan Shah, the prime suspect in the murder of Ameer Balaj Tipu, was fatally shot by his own accomplices on Friday, according to police sources.

The police said the CIA was transporting Shah to Lahore's Shadbagh area for evidence recovery and to arrest his co-accused when Shah’s brother, Ali Raza, and unidentified accomplices opened fire on the police convoy in an attempt to free him.

Shah sustained critical injuries during the attack and died en route to the hospital.

Remarkably, the police officers involved in the incident escaped unhurt. The assailants fled the scene under the cover of darkness, prompting a search operation to locate and apprehend them.

Earlier this year, Ameer Balaj Tipu was killed at a marriage ceremony in a housing society by Muzzafar Hussain, an old gunman of Khawaja Tareef alias Teefi Butt, over a 30-year-old feud. Muzzafar was shot dead immediately after Tipu's murder.

Prime suspects Khawaja Tareef (Teefi Butt) and Khawaja Aqeel (Gogi Butt) were declared proclaimed offenders. Police suspect Teefi has fled abroad, while Gogi is believed to be hiding within the country. Ameer Moasab, Balaj's younger brother, named both Teefi and Gogi in the FIR.

DIG of the Organised Crime Unit, Imran Kishwar, had earlier stated that the police started the process to issue red warrants against the suspects through the interior ministry, aiming to bring them back to Pakistan with the help of Interpol.

Investigations suggest that Teefi Butt masterminded and executed the murder of Tipu.

Ahsan Shah, a close associate, was arrested for conducting surveillance on Ameer Balaj Tipu to facilitate the murder in exchange for Rs50 million, which he had already received.