Three men rob, burn medical store

Police have registered a case against unidentified suspects who allegedly set a medical store on fire after sprinkling petrol, leaving the shop owner critically injured and destroying medicines and furniture worth millions of rupees.

According to a police report filed by Barkat Ali, a resident of Nematabad, Street 3, Farid Town, his son, Umar Barkat, owned a medical store near Bhatha Stop on Jhang Road.

On the night of October 25, around 11:15pm, three unknown men arrived at the shop, smashed the glass door with a pistol butt and stormed inside.

The suspects allegedly took Rs15,000 in cash from the counter drawer before hitting Umar on the neck with the pistol butt. One of the attackers then ordered the others to "pour petrol and set fire," after which they doused the shop and ignited it before fleeing the scene.

The fire spread rapidly, engulfing medicines and furniture estimated at Rs2.5 million, while the victim sustained severe burn injuries. He was rescued and shifted to Allied Hospital's Burn Unit, where doctors described his condition as critical.

Police from have registered a case against the unidentified assailants.