Top cops transferred over triple custodial killings

Seven suspects, including cop, held in connection with murders

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CHAK JHUMRA:

The Punjab government has ordered the transfer of Regional Police Officer (RPO) Faisalabad Dr Abid Khan and City Police Officer (CPO) Faisalabad DIG Kamran Adil following an inquiry into the custodial killing of three brothers at Tandlianwala police station.

On January 5 and 6, suspects Zahray Khan, Abdul Qadir, Zia, Amir Ali, Nasir, Riyaz, and others allegedly stormed the lockup and killed three brothers—Bilal, Usman, and Nasir—while injuring their fourth brother, Asif.

A case was registered, and police arrested seven suspects, including a head constable. Inspector General (IG) Punjab Dr. Usman Anwar had formed an inquiry committee to investigate the incident.

The findings revealed a failure in coordination among senior police officials. The report further noted that RPO Faisalabad had been in office for nearly two years, while CPO Faisalabad DIG Kamran Adil had served for eight months.

In response, the Punjab government directed their immediate transfer to the Services and General Administration Department (S&GD). Reports indicate that district police officials in Faisalabad celebrated the removal of the top officers.

Additionally, two police officers have been suspended and served charge sheets for failing to prevent violence stemming from a long-standing feud. Meanwhile, another deadly incident unfolded on Thursday morning when a citizen, Shabbir, was shot dead by his rivals outside the CPO office at the District Court.

He had arrived for a hearing related to a case registered at Multan Town police station. Allegedly, SHO Multan Town Sarfraz Randhawa and Investigation Officer Muzammil Hussain failed to implement preventive measures between the two feuding parties, leading to the fatal shooting.

A senior police officer emphasised that preventive measures must be enforced against individuals involved in prolonged disputes and that investigations into serious crimes must be conducted on merit. He warned that incompetence and poor performance would not be tolerated within the police force.