Faisalabad reports 16 killings in a fortnight

226 people killed from Jan 1 to Oct 28 despite claims of crime rate drop

FAISALABAD:

At least 16 people, including an industrialist and several women, were killed in Faisalabad over the past 15 days, while dozens of others sustained injuries in violent incidents.

According to figures cited by police, 226 people, including 61 women, were murdered in the district between January 1 and October 28.

The reported killings have raised questions about claims by the police and the Crime Control Department (CCD) that crime in Faisalabad has declined by 68%.

In the latest incident, Firdous Bibi was killed and her husband, Rizwan, 30, was seriously injured when three armed men allegedly opened fire on them near Chak 108-GB stop in the jurisdiction of Saddar Jaranwala police station on the night between Oct 26 and 27.

The couple, residents of Mohallah Islampura, were travelling on a motorcycle from Chak 108-GB towards Jaranwala when the suspects, identified as Irfan and two accomplices, allegedly attacked them over an old enmity.

Firdous died of her injuries, while Rizwan sustained bullet wounds to his right leg and abdomen and was shifted to hospital.

Police took custody of the body and initiated legal proceedings.

Regional Police Officer Faisalabad Inamur Rehman Malik took notice of the incident and sought a report from City Police Officer Tanveer Hussain. He directed the police to ensure the immediate arrest of the suspects, provide the injured man with the best possible medical treatment and complete the investigation promptly.

Other killings reported during the past fortnight included that of prominent industrialist Rehan Ashraf, who was shot dead during a robbery on Jaranwala Road in the jurisdiction of Saddar Faisalabad police station on the night of October 17.

In another incident, two motorcyclists, Ehsanullah and Ansar, were allegedly shot dead by Qamar Abbas and his accomplices over an old enmity in Chak 236-RB, within the jurisdiction of Roshanwala police station.

At Chak 275-GB in Painsara, Muhammad Ikram, alias Billa Gujjar, and Iqbal were allegedly killed by Sanwal and Adil while sitting at a grocery shop. Police said the incident stemmed from an old dispute.

An unidentified man, aged around 35, was found murdered near Jinnah Stadium in Jaranwala, while the body of 38-year-old Rubi Bibi was found in Kamalabad.

Rana Sher Khan, who had reportedly been abducted from Heaven Villas in Ghulam Muhammadabad, was also killed, allegedly by Shahid.

Kashif Nawaz, an employee of a local mill, was allegedly killed by his colleague Imad following a minor dispute in Chak 97-RB, within the jurisdiction of Balochni police station. The suspect allegedly buried the body in a pit.

Muhammad Boota, 24, was killed over a plot dispute in Chak 410-GB, within the jurisdiction of Tandlianwala City police station. In Khalidabad, within the jurisdiction of Factory Area police station, a man allegedly killed his sister-in-law, Saman, and niece, Meherb.

In another case in Chak 131-RB, within the jurisdiction of Sahianwala police station, Haris Baloch allegedly attacked two-year-old Rovan with a knife after being unable to marry the child's mother, Bushra Bibi. He also allegedly threw the child's five-year-old brother, Rohan, into a canal. Passers-by rescued Rohan after hearing his cries and informed the parents. The family initially treated Rovan at home but contacted the police after he died.

Meanwhile, 24-year-old Faraheem, who worked at a haleem shop, was allegedly shot dead by Ghulam Ghaus while trying to stop a fight between children near Tariqabad bridge, within the jurisdiction of Peoples Colony police station.

The body of an unidentified 24-year-old woman was also found in a canal near Dinga Phatak on Samundri Road. Police suspect she was murdered and her body dumped there.