SHO charged with ATH employee's murder

The Station House Officer (SHO) of Mirpur Police Station and other police officials have been charged in an FIR registered over the alleged killing of Ayub Teaching Hospital (ATH) employee Sardar Arif. The deceased's family has alleged that police opened fire on him during an operation after trespassing his house in Phul Gulab on Monday.

The 46-year-old Sardar Arif, son of Sardar Abdul Rasheed, was allegedly shot dead on October 5, triggering protests and demands for a transparent and impartial investigation. His funeral prayer was later offered at Kunj Football Ground, where a large number of people came to pay their respects.

The FIR, registered at Mirpur Police Station under Section 302 of the Pakistan Penal Code, names SHO Ahsan Khan, Constable Hamza and other unidentified police personnel on the complaint of Sardar Abdul Rasheed, who alleged that police officials opened fire during an operation following a dispute involving Afghan nationals in the locality.

According to the complainant police entered Sardar Arif's house on the call of illegal Afghan nationals.

The complainant further alleged that SHO Ahsan Khan directed other police officials to take action, following which police personnel opened fire, hitting and killing Sardar Arif. He also alleged that his grandson was beaten and taken away from the scene only to be released afterwards.

The FIR further claims that police personnel removed the deceased's body from the scene and that they did not handle it with due respect.

The post-mortem examination recorded multiple firearm/projectile injuries, including entry and exit wounds on the deceased's arms, forearm, thighs, calf, knee and lower leg.

A major exit wound on the posterior surface of the middle portion of the left thigh measured approximately 7 by 8.5 centimetres, with deep and superficial muscles torn and irregular skin margins. Other exit wounds measuring approximately 2.5 by 2.5 centimetres and 2 by 2 centimetres were also documented.

The report also recorded a fracture of the right tibia and fibula, while bullet/projectile fragments were reportedly recovered and sent for chemical examination.

The medical officer in charge of the examination concluded that Sardar Arif died from massive blood loss caused by multiple injuries, leading to shock and death.