———- PAF Group Captain shot dead while trying to protect woman
———- 20-year-old suspect’s motive revealed
———- Naqvi calls officer martyr, grieves loss
———- Feeling of unrest, fear in Capitaliites
By Uzma Zafar
ISLAMABAD: A Pakistan Air Force (PAF) officer was shot dead in Islamabad on Sunday while trying to protect a woman during an altercation with a man near the PAF headquarters, officials said, adding that efforts were underway to arrest the suspect who fled the scene. The shooting occurred near Shaheen Chowk on Islamabad’s busy 9th Avenue that is located close to several government offices and the PAF Headquarters, according to Islamabad Police.
The PAF officer, Group Captain Asim Tariq, was leaving his office near Shaheen Chowk, when he noticed a man arguing with a woman and decided to intervene. As he attempted to intervene, the suspect pulled out a firearm and shot the officer at the scene before fleeing. The officer later succumbed to his injuries.
The incident prompted a swift response from police, who took the woman into custody from the scene. The suspect identified as Saad entered Islamabad from Rawalpindi on a motorcycle along with the woman.
According to investigative sources, the suspect is a resident of Band Khanna Road in the Khanna police jurisdiction of Islamabad. He is 20 years old, has completed matriculation, and previously worked as a salesman at an electronics shop.
The investigation indicates that the suspect allegedly attempted to force a young woman to accompany him. When she refused, an altercation reportedly broke out between the two. Sources said the Group Captain stopped after noticing the confrontation and intervened to prevent the suspect from allegedly forcing the woman against her will. Investigators believe the suspect became enraged by the intervention.
According to the preliminary investigation, the suspect allegedly opened fire on the Group Captain while he was inside his vehicle before fleeing the scene. Police ha arrested the suspect and further investigation is underway.
The girl Nimra works as a sales girl in Islamabad Cash and Carry G 6. The boy was Saad Abassi who works as a salesman in Dawn bread. They were friends and went for an outing but started to quarrel near Shaheen Chowk. Group Capt was passing by and he turned back his vehicke when he saw the boy beating the girl and the girl was shouting for help. He intervened and the boy fired on him killing him on the spot.
Group Captain Tariq is survived by his wife and two children, according toa PAF spokesperson. The military’s media wing will issue a detailed statement about the incident in due course. Pakistan’s Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi expressed grief over the incident, describing the PAF officer as “a martyr who lost his life while trying to protect a woman.” Naqvi directed authorities ensure the suspect’s swift arrest and sought a report on the incident from the Islamabad police chief.
“No effort should be spared in bringing the perpetrator to justice and ensuring justice for the family of the martyred officer,” the minister said.
“Islamabad is a place where you think twice before carrying a weapon let alone using it. So it is beyond contestation that the guy was a criminal with ill intentions. He should be shot at sight,” Capitaliites demanded. “Carrying a pistol firing straight maybe also involved in multiple crimes before as Well but loss is irreplaceable”, they stated. “That means the boy was a criminal minded. He got the pistol to do harm to the girl but then the unfortunate group capt intervened and was shot”, another held. The arrest of suspect in a short time is encouraging but in general but people are scared as this incident has raised questions on Capital’s security, leading to unrest in Capital.
