Nine booked for murder of under-trial prisoner

The Kotwali police have registered a case under charges of terrorism, murder and attempted murder against nine relatives accused of killing an under-trial prisoner, Shahbaz and injuring his mother, Salma Bibi, on the district court premises.

The police have launched a search operation to apprehend the suspects.

According to the police report, Muhammad Shahzad, a resident of Hajveri Town, filed an FIR with Kotwali police, stating that his son, Shahbaz, was previously involved in a case (3168/24) under Section 324 of the Pakistan Penal Code (PPC) at Sargodha Road Police Station due to an ongoing family dispute. Shahbaz was in jail and was being escorted back to Bakshi Khana after a court hearing when the incident occurred.

Near the inner courtyard of the district court, the suspects - Qasim and Sarfaraz, from Taj Colony, Ahmad, from Kamalabad, Asad, from 227-GB Jaranwala, Wasim from Hajveri Town, Kaka, from Mai Di Jhugi, and three unidentified assailants - opened fire on Shahbaz and his mother, Salma, who had come to meet her son.

Both Shahbaz and his mother sustained critical injuries and were rushed to Allied Hospital for medical treatment.

However, Shehbaz, who was in police custody, succumbed to his injuries.

Following the attack, Kotwali police registered a case under sections 7-ATA (Anti-Terrorism Act), 302 (murder), 324 (attempted murder), 148 (rioting with a deadly weapon), and 149 (unlawful assembly) of the PPC and launched a manhunt for the accused.

In response to the second court premises murder within two weeks, senior police officials have issued directives to tighten security at the district court to prevent further incidents.