Teefi Butt's brother-in-law killed

Motorcyclists ambush car near Muslim Town Underpass

LAHORE:

Muhammad Javed Butt, the brother-in-law of Khawaja Tareef alias Teefi Butt—one of the key suspects in the Amir Balaj murder case—was fatally shot near the Muslim Town underpass by unidentified motorcyclists on Friday.

The incident, which occurred in the jurisdiction of the Ichra Police Station, also left Javed Butt's wife injured, while his daughter, who was in the car with them, escaped unharmed.

SP Model Town, Ikhlaqullah Tarar, led a heavy police presence at the crime scene as an investigation was launched into the motives behind the attack.

The injured were taken to Lahore Services Hospital for treatment, while Javed Butt's body was shifted to the Lahore General Hospital morgue for an autopsy.

The shooting has raised fears of a potential gang war in the city. Following the murder of Balaj Tipu during a wedding in Chung, tensions had escalated but the city had remained relatively calm until now.

The recent killing of another prime suspect, Ahsan Shah, in an encounter further complicates the ongoing investigation.

The Amir Balaj murder case stems from a 30-year-old feud that saw Muzzafar Hussain, a long-time gunman of Khawaja Tareef, kills Balaj Tipu at a wedding.

Muzzafar was immediately shot dead in retaliation. Subsequent investigations revealed Ahsan Shah's involvement, including an alleged plot to murder a police officer while he was in jail.

The Lahore Organised Crime Unit, led by DSP Muhammad Ali Butt and DIG Imran Kishwar, is currently pursuing red warrants for the arrest of Khawaja Tareef (Teefi Butt) and Khawaja Aqeel (Gogi Butt), both of whom have been declared proclaimed offenders.

Earlier on August 28, 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. 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.