Three more arrested in student murder case

Victim's dying statement leads to new suspects; principal, teachers suspended

KHANEWAL:

Police claimed to have arrested three more suspects in the case of a 10th-grade student who was shot dead by his classmate inside a classroom in Khanewal's Sarai Sidhu area.

The school shooting case has taken a new turn following key revelations during interrogation.

District Police Officer (DPO) and SP Investigation Azhar Khan visited the school and examined the crime scene as part of the ongoing investigation.

Meanwhile, the education department has suspended the headmaster along with five other staff members for negligence.

A few days ago, a student named Rizwan Lodhran was shot dead by his classmate Zain Ahmad Arain inside the classroom at a local high school in Sarai Sidhu.

Before succumbing to his injuries, Rizwan recorded a video statement at the Tehsil Headquarters Hospital Kabirwala, alleging that a man named Yaseen had orchestrated his murder.

Following Zain Ahmad's initial statement, police detained more suspects and uncovered new details.

During the investigation, it emerged that the incident stemmed from a personal grudge, a heated argument had taken place between Rizwan and Yaseen a few days earlier during a volleyball match.

Reportedly, Yaseen had been forcing Rizwan into an unwanted friendship and after the latter's repeated refusals, Yaseen allegedly told Zain to kill him.

Police said Zain obtained a 30-bore pistol from another suspect, Ahmed Hayat Baloch, who is now in custody.

He hid the weapon in his school bag and, acting on the plan, opened fire on Rizwan during class the next day.

Rizwan was critically injured and later succumbed to his wounds in hospital after naming his alleged instigator in a recorded statement.

Police have now arrested Zain Ahmad Arain, Yaseen, and Ahmed Hayat Baloch.

SP Investigation Azhar Khan is personally supervising the case and is expected to submit a detailed report to senior officials within the next few days.

Meanwhile, education authorities have suspended the school principal, a teacher, and three other staff members pending a departmental inquiry into security lapses that led to the tragic incident.