MPA injured in armed attack shifted to Lahore

Four gunned down, three hurt at Toba Tek Singh legislator's office

TOBA TEK SINGH:

At least four people were killed and three others, including PML-N MPA Colonel (retd) Muhammad Ayub Khan Gadhi, were injured after assailants opened fire at the public office of the Punjab Assembly member in Toba Tek Singh, police said on Monday.

The attack took place in Chak 184-GB, where PML-N MPA Ayub Khan Gadhi was listening to public complaints at his office.

Police said several attackers arrived at the office on motorcycles and opened indiscriminate fire shortly after entering the premises.

As a result of the firing, MPA Gadhi, Nadeem, Khaliq Dad, Haq Nawaz, Riaz Ahmed, Shahbaz and Zaigham Abbas Khan sustained bullet injuries.

Police said Zaigham Abbas Khan and Haq Nawaz died on the spot, while Khaliq Dad and Nadeem succumbed to their injuries while being shifted to Allied Hospital.

The injured lawmaker, along with Shahbaz and Riaz Ahmed, was initially shifted to THQ Hospital Toba Tek Singh.

Due to the seriousness of his condition, the MPA was later referred to Lahore for further treatment.

Following the incident, Regional Police Officer Faisalabad Sohail Akhtar Sukhera, District Police Officer Toba Tek Singh and other senior police officials reached the crime scene and hospitals to oversee the investigation and review security arrangements.

Punjab Forensic Science Agency teams collected evidence from the site, while police launched a large-scale search operation to arrest the attackers.

According to police sources, the nominated suspects included Wasef, Rashid, Sohail Afzal, Tasveer Afzal alias Kashif, Farman Ali and Imran Ali.

A case was registered under sections related to murder, attempted murder, rioting and provisions of the Anti-Terrorism Act on the complaint of former MPA Sardar Muhammad Masood Khan, brother of the injured lawmaker.

Police sources said the attackers allegedly suspected that their father, Muhammad Nawaz alias Nazo, had been killed in a police encounter around five months ago on the alleged instigation of the MPA and his associates.

Authorities believe the firing incident may have been carried out as an act of revenge.

The FIR described the suspects as history-sheeters allegedly involved in multiple criminal cases, including murder, attempted murder, robbery, narcotics trafficking and extortion.

Police said special teams had been formed to trace and arrest the accused, while raids were being conducted at various locations.

Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz and Punjab Inspector General of Police Rao Abdul Karim took notice of the incident and sought a detailed report from the RPO of Faisalabad.