Suspect in Hafizabad child murder case killed in police 'encounter'

MANDI BAHAUDDIN: A man wanted in the kidnapping and murder of a six-year-old boy was killed on Wednesday during what police described as an encounter in Chak Sabu, in Pindi Bhattian tehsil of Hafizabad district, according to officials.

Hafizabad police spokesperson Head Constable Waqar Yousaf said the body of the missing child was found in nearby fields during a search operation. He said the body was taken into custody and shifted to a hospital for a post-mortem examination, while legal formalities were set in motion.

Pindi Bhattian Saddar police had earlier registered a first information report dated April 28 on the complaint of the child’s father. The FIR invoked Sections 363 and 302 of the Pakistan Penal Code, relating to kidnapping and intentional murder.

According to the police spokesperson, preliminary investigation identified the suspect as 40-year-old Zafar Hashmat, a resident of Faisalabad who had recently come to Pindi Bhattian and was working there as a temporary labourer.

Waqar Yousaf said the suspect was taken into custody and questioned, during which he allegedly admitted to abducting the child for sexual assault, killing him, and throwing the body in nearby fields.

Second FIR registered after suspect’s death

A second FIR, dated April 29, was lodged by Pindi Bhattian Saddar police after the suspect’s death. According to that FIR, the main suspect was killed by firing from his own accomplice.

The FIR said a special team had been constituted under the supervision of the Pindi Bhattian sub-divisional police officer to arrest other suspects, and checkpoints were set up in the area.

"A motorcycle carrying two suspects was seen speeding along a river embankment, where it was intercepted by a police mobile. Upon noticing the police presence, the suspects attempted to turn back but lost control and fell. The suspects then opened fire on the police party,"the FIR stated, adding: "police returned fire in self-defence, after which the exchange of fire continued for some time."

The FIR further said one suspect escaped on the motorcycle under the cover of darkness, while the other, who was wanted in the child kidnapping and murder case, was later found dead, struck by fire by his own accomplice

The second FIR included Sections 302, 324, 186, 353 and 34 of the PPC, along with the Punjab Arms Amendment Ordinance 2015.

Recent encounters in Punjab

On Tuesday, nine suspects, including six in Lahore, were killed in separate encounters with the Crime Control Department in different parts of Punjab.

Last year, one of the four suspects in the gang rape of a married woman in the presence of her husband was also allegedly killed in Hafizabad district by firing from his own accomplices during an encounter with the CCD.