Man arrested for murdering nine-year-old grandson

SADDAR: Police have arrested a man accused of killing his nine-year-old grandson after an investigation into the child’s death led officers to the victim’s grandfather, according to police.

Police said the boy, identified as Shoaib, was found late at night behind a school with critical injuries after local boys heard his screams and went to the scene. They found him unconscious with severe wounds to his abdomen and informed his family. He was first taken to a nearby hospital on a motorcycle, after which Rescue 1122 shifted him to another medical facility, where he later died.

A murder case was initially registered against unidentified attackers. During the early stage of the investigation, police said the victim’s grandfather, Abdul Rehman, appeared as the complainant and tried to divert investigators by suggesting that the killing may have been linked to sexual assault or another motive.

Investigation and arrest

After taking notice of the case, City Police Officer Sardar Ghiyas Gul Khan assigned Saddar SP Muhammad Khan and other officials to oversee the inquiry. Police teams questioned villagers and reviewed CCTV footage, which police said played a key role in identifying the suspect.

According to police, Abdul Rehman was arrested eight hours after the murder. The CPO said the suspect had taken the child with him after buying sweets for him from a shop. Police said he then allegedly took Shoaib to a nearby outhouse where he worked and later brought him behind a school after making sure no one was around.

Investigators said the suspect first struck the child on the head with a stick. When the boy cried out, he allegedly covered his mouth and then stabbed him in the abdomen, causing fatal injuries.

Police account of motive

Police further said the suspect had taken an advance of Rs1.2 million from two landlords and had become burdened by debt. The report did not state whether police had established a direct link between the financial troubles and the killing.