Differing versions: Police fail to apprehend men wanted for fatal shooting

CCPO Amin Wains tells reporters the constable was unarmed

LAHORE: Police has failed to nab those wanted for a fatal shooting on Hall Road on Thursday The Express Tribune has learnt.

Babar Sohail, a constable, was travelling on a motorcycle on the road when he was hit by a Pajero SUV. Bystanders said a scuffle had erupted between him and those in the vehicle following the accident. They said Sohail had then taken out a gun and shot the men. Bystanders said Sajid, a resident of Arifwala, had been killed in the exchange of fire. They said the constable and a bystander had also been injured in the shootout.



CCPO Amin Wains had told reporters after visiting Sohail at a hospital that he had fired shots in self-defence. The CCPO’s statement bellied the police’s earlier assertion that that the constable was unarmed and only Waqas, one of the men, had started firing at him that had resulted in the death of Sajid and had injured the constable and another bystander.

Speaking to The Express Tribune, SP Investigation Civil Lines Mufakhar Adeel said the CCPO’s statement was based on the result of preliminary investigations. He said subsequent investigations had revealed that only Waqas had resorted to firing. Adeel said police had found evidence that corroborated this.

The SP said doctors at the Mayo Hospital mortuary had suggested the holding of a medical board at the Mian Munshi Hospital as this was done in cases of encounters. He said police had been raiding various places to nab the absconding men.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 22^nd, 2014.