Firing leaves eight PTI workers injured
Three security guards of the former PML-N MPA arrested
RAWALPINDI:
Eight workers of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) were injured when gunmen opened fire on them, some five kilometres from Syed Zamir Jaffery Stadium, the venue of PTI’s Sunday rally.
The incident took place when a local leader of the PTI, Nadeem Afzal Bhatti, and his followers shouted ‘Go Nawaz Go’ outside the residence of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz’s former MPA Nadeem Khadim in Gharmala village.
The sloganeering infuriated Khadim and his supporters that led to and exchange of harsh words. Subsequently, Khadim’s security guards opened fire on the PTI workers, leaving eight of them injured.
The injured were rushed to the District Headquarters Hospital where three of them were stated to be in critical condition. One of the injured, identified as 21-year old Adnan, was shifted to the DHQ Rawalpindi where officials at the ward said his condition was stable.
“Adnan Ahmad received a bullet on his chest but he is in a stable condition,” officials at the hospital told The Express Tribune. The remaining injured received bullets in lower parts of their bodies and all of them are reported to be in stable condition.
According to District Police Officer Sarfaraz Khan Virk, three persons identified as Talat, Nasir and Tausif – security guards of the former MPA – have been arrested. The MPA Nadeem Khadim has handed over to the police a Kalashnikov believed to be used in the incident.
The DPO said both parties are accusing each other of attacking first but a thorough investigation would be held to reach a conclusion. When contacted, Investigation Officer Rana Abdul Shakoor said no application was moved by any party for registration of an FIR.
He said Bhatti and Khadim are from the same clan and are close relatives. Khadim, when contacted, said the PTI workers attacked and pelted his house with stones. “My guards opened fire in self-defence,” he claimed.
Nadeem Afzal Bhatti, however, could not be reached despite several phone calls.
Taking notice of the incident, Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif has sought a report from the DPO. Meanwhile, the PTI chief Imran Khan also visited the DHQ and inquired after the health of his workers.
Published in The Express Tribune, November 17th, 2014.
Eight workers of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) were injured when gunmen opened fire on them, some five kilometres from Syed Zamir Jaffery Stadium, the venue of PTI’s Sunday rally.
The incident took place when a local leader of the PTI, Nadeem Afzal Bhatti, and his followers shouted ‘Go Nawaz Go’ outside the residence of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz’s former MPA Nadeem Khadim in Gharmala village.
The sloganeering infuriated Khadim and his supporters that led to and exchange of harsh words. Subsequently, Khadim’s security guards opened fire on the PTI workers, leaving eight of them injured.
The injured were rushed to the District Headquarters Hospital where three of them were stated to be in critical condition. One of the injured, identified as 21-year old Adnan, was shifted to the DHQ Rawalpindi where officials at the ward said his condition was stable.
“Adnan Ahmad received a bullet on his chest but he is in a stable condition,” officials at the hospital told The Express Tribune. The remaining injured received bullets in lower parts of their bodies and all of them are reported to be in stable condition.
According to District Police Officer Sarfaraz Khan Virk, three persons identified as Talat, Nasir and Tausif – security guards of the former MPA – have been arrested. The MPA Nadeem Khadim has handed over to the police a Kalashnikov believed to be used in the incident.
The DPO said both parties are accusing each other of attacking first but a thorough investigation would be held to reach a conclusion. When contacted, Investigation Officer Rana Abdul Shakoor said no application was moved by any party for registration of an FIR.
He said Bhatti and Khadim are from the same clan and are close relatives. Khadim, when contacted, said the PTI workers attacked and pelted his house with stones. “My guards opened fire in self-defence,” he claimed.
Nadeem Afzal Bhatti, however, could not be reached despite several phone calls.
Taking notice of the incident, Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif has sought a report from the DPO. Meanwhile, the PTI chief Imran Khan also visited the DHQ and inquired after the health of his workers.
Published in The Express Tribune, November 17th, 2014.