Dinner invitation ends in murder

Prior dispute cited as possible motive in Jatli shooting

RAWALPINDI:

A young man, who was allegedly lured to a friend's house on the pretext of a dinner invitation, was shot dead under mysterious circumstances within the jurisdiction of Jatli Police Station, police said on Tuesday.

According to police sources, the suspects allegedly attempted to conceal the crime by transporting the body to Chakwal. The deceased's body was later recovered from the District Headquarters Hospital in Chakwal. A case has been registered and investigations are underway.

Police said the complainant, Mansha Iqbal, a resident of Gujar Khan who earns his livelihood by driving a Suzuki van, stated that his nephew, Ali Hassan, was asleep at home at around 9pm on Thursday last when there was a knock at the door. Upon answering it, he found Owais, Shahzaib and Arsalan standing outside.

Owais reportedly asked that Ali Hassan be sent outside, saying they had some work with him. Mansha Iqbal informed his nephew of their arrival and questioned why they were calling for him, particularly as there had been a dispute between them a month earlier.

Ali Hassan replied that he had reconciled with Owais and had been invited to dinner at his house, adding that he intended to stay there overnight after the meal.

The complainant said he allowed his nephew to leave with the men. However, when Ali Hassan failed to return home the following morning, he repeatedly attempted to contact both his nephew and Owais, but their mobile phones were switched off.

While on his way to Owais's residence to inquire about his nephew, Mansha Iqbal stated that he encountered Altaf Hussain and Muhammad Arif, who informed him that shortly beforehand Owais, Shahzaib and Arsalan had allegedly shot Ali Hassan dead at Owais's house and placed the body in a vehicle belonging to Ehtesham, taking it to an undisclosed location. They said they were heading to inform the police when they came across him.

Upon reaching Owais's house, the complainant alleged that he found his nephew's shawl lying bloodstained on the paved area near the gate. Inside the residential room, bloodstains were visible on the wall and on the bed. When questioned, Owais's mother allegedly attempted to evade giving a clear response.

The complainant expressed his firm belief that his nephew had been killed by the suspects due to a previous dispute. He further stated that police later informed him that Ali Hassan's body had been taken to the District Headquarters Hospital in Chakwal.