Family scenes protest, demand arrest of suspects, action against police officers
KHANEWAL:
A 22-year-old man was shot dead by armed assailants while on his way to a court hearing in Kabirwala, allegedly as a result of a long-running tribal feud.
The deceased, identified as Mursaleen Tayyab Hanjra, was attacked near Jhandeer Kassi in the jurisdiction of Nawan Shehr police station.
Police and family sources said more than eight armed suspects allegedly ambushed him and opened fire with Kalashnikovs and rifles, leaving him critically wounded.
The attackers reportedly fled the scene towards the Mamdal area after the shooting. The incident is said to be linked to an old rivalry between the Hanjra and Kartwana communities in Head Sardar Pur area, which falls under the jurisdiction of Sarai Sidhu police station in Kabirwala police circle.
Family members immediately called Rednings 1122 to get medical help.
However, Mursaleen Tayyab succumbed to her injuries before help could arrive.
On the complaint of the victim’s father, Muhammad Tayyab Hanjra, the Nawan Shehr police registered a case against the nominated suspects, identified as Muhammad Hanif Kartwana, Muhammad Asif Kartwana, Muhammad Kashif Kartwana, Qaiser, Sagheer Ahmed, Abdul Razzaq and Muhammad Bilal, along with others unidentified.
After the killing, members of the Hanjra community staged a protest by placing the victim’s body on Multan Road outside the Tehsil Headquarters (THQ) Hospital in Kabirwala.
The demonstration continued for nearly two hours, causing traffic disruptions and attracting a large crowd.
The protesters shouted slogans against DSP Kabirwala Chaudhry Munawar Gujjar and SHO of Sarai Sidhu police station and accused the police of failing to act against proclaimed offenders allegedly associated with the rival group.
The victim’s relatives claimed that wanted suspects often remained present in the residential areas of Muhammad Pur Nasheb and Sardar Pur but were not arrested despite the police being aware of their whereabouts.
They argued that timely action by the police could have prevented the killing.
The victim’s mother and other family members were seen grieving during the protest and demanded the arrest of the suspects.
The bereaved family appealed to Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz and the Inspector General of Police Punjab to ensure the arrest of the accused and take action against those responsible for negligence.
The police state that the investigation is ongoing and that efforts are being made to arrest the suspects mentioned in the case.
