Two held for allegedly setting man on fire

Victim allegedly beaten, stabbed after being chased down

RAWALPINDI:

A dispute over a financial transaction between alleged drug addicts in the Bhabra Bazaar area of Waris Khan police station turned violent when two brothers, along with their associates, allegedly set their opponent on fire.

When the victim ran to save his life, they chased him, knocked him down and started beating him with knives, sticks, kicks and punches. The attackers fled after leaving him seriously injured. Police registered a case and arrested both brothers.

According to sources, a dispute over payment for a mobile phone had been continuing between the Zahid and Asad groups, both of whom were allegedly drug addicts.

A member of the Zahid group went to Bhabra Bazaar to demand payment from the two brothers. The brothers allegedly quarrelled with him and set him on fire during the argument.

The victim ran to save himself, but the suspects chased him, knocked him down and subjected him to severe violence.

They continued beating him despite the victim bleeding profusely. When the injured man fell in a street, an elderly woman also tried to pass through the area but was knocked down. A few people present there managed to rescue her and take her out.

Footage of the incident has also emerged, showing the victim being set on fire and then running away. The footage also shows the alleged drug addicts sharpening knives in the street and waving sticks.

Police said a case had been registered on the complaint of the victim's father, Ziaat Khan. He stated that his elder son, Zahid, 29, was a drug addict and often remained away from home.

He had sold a mobile phone to two brothers, Asad and Amjad, of Bhabra Bazaar, and went to collect the payment. The two allegedly quarrelled with him and subjected him to violence with knives and sticks. Local residents rescued his son and shifted him to hospital.

Police officials said a case had been registered against the suspects and both brothers arrested. They were subsequently sent to jail.