Three brothers gunned down inside police lockup

Sukhera-Kharal rivalry escalates after triple murder

TANDLIANWALA:

Three brothers accused in a triple murder and terrorism cases were shot dead inside Saddar Tandlianwala police station by their opponents on Monday.]

The attack also left their cousin injured. The assailants, six armed men, stormed the station at dawn, bypassing security by scaling the rear wall with a ladder.

The deceased, identified as Bilal, Usman, and Nasir, were in police custody following their arrest in a case registered under sections 302 and 7 ATA at Tandlianwala police station.

The case stemmed from an October 2024 incident in which they allegedly killed three people, including a passer-by, after a court appearance.

Their cousin, Asif, was injured during the attack but survived.

The attackers launched their assault around 5:00 am on January 6, opening indiscriminate fire on the detainees.

Police personnel, reportedly asleep at the time, awoke to the sound of gunfire. While officers attempted to chase the assailants, they managed to escape after firing shots in the air.

High-ranking police officials, including CPO Faisalabad DIG Kamran Adil, SSP Investigation Rana Abdul Wahab, and SP CIA Ghulam Abbas, arrived at the scene to initiate investigations.

Six suspects have been detained during subsequent raids, and efforts are underway to identify and apprehend the main culprits.

The victims belonged to the Sukhera community, which has a longstanding feud with the Kharal community.

Police sources revealed that the brothers had been involved in the killing of Haq Nawaz, Maqsood, and a passer-by named Waqar Azam on October 10, 2024. The attack occurred while the victims were returning from court after obtaining interim bail in a separate abduction case.

The brothers were kept in Saddar Tandlianwala police station instead of City Tandlianwala station for their safety due to the ongoing enmity. However, their opponents, led by Yousuf, exploited the situation and executed the attack.

Inspector General (IG) Punjab Dr Usman Anwar has taken serious notice of the incident and sought a detailed report from the RPO Faisalabad, DIG Dr. Abed Khan. Special investigation teams, led by SSP Investigation and SP CIA, have been tasked with apprehending the attackers and their facilitators.

RPO Faisalabad has ordered stringent action to address the underlying factional violence and ensure justice for the victims' families.

Police have pledged to investigate all aspects of the case, with directives to prevent further bloodshed resulting from the feud.

The brazen attack inside a police station has sparked outrage and fear among local residents.

The enmity between the Sukhera and Kharal communities has escalated, creating an atmosphere of panic.