The prime suspect in the murder of a 15-year-old orphan in Multan has died following an alleged encounter with Punjab’s Crime Control Department (CCD) near Bahawalpur. The suspect, identified as Tauqeer Niaz, was wanted in connection with the killing of Waseem Abbas, whose death sparked widespread public attention.
According to police, Tauqeer was the main accused in the case. The teenager was allegedly chased and deliberately run over by a car in Multan. CCTV footage of the incident reportedly showed a vehicle pursuing Waseem before hitting him.
Tauqeer had previously been arrested and was in police custody on physical remand while investigators worked on the murder case. However, authorities later reported that he had escaped from custody.
How the Encounter Took Place
According to the CCD, officers encountered Tauqeer near the Northern Bypass in Bahawalpur. CCD District Officer Irfan Akbar said officers signalled two men travelling on a motorcycle to stop.
Police claimed that the suspects attempted to flee instead of stopping and opened fire on the CCD team. Officers returned fire, leading to an exchange of gunshots.
During the incident, Tauqeer was found critically wounded. According to the CCD’s account, he was hit by bullets fired by his own accomplice during the shootout.
His companion reportedly escaped from the scene, while Tauqeer later succumbed to his injuries.
The circumstances surrounding the encounter have been described through the police account. Further independently verified details about the exchange of fire were not provided in the available information.
Second Suspect Still at Large
Following the encounter, authorities launched efforts to trace and arrest the second suspect who allegedly escaped on the motorcycle.
Police are seeking to locate the accomplice as part of the investigation into the encounter and the circumstances surrounding Tauqeer’s death.
The authorities have not provided further details about the identity of the second suspect or the progress of the search in the information available so far.
What Happened to Waseem Abbas?
The case centres on the killing of 15-year-old Waseem Abbas, an orphan who had reportedly been working when the incident occurred in Multan.
According to the allegations, Waseem was chased by a car before being run over. CCTV footage of the incident reportedly emerged during the investigation, drawing further attention to the case.
Police subsequently arrested Tauqeer, identifying him as the principal suspect. He remained on physical remand as investigators pursued the murder case before authorities reported his escape from custody.
His death in the Bahawalpur encounter marks a major development in the case. However, the reported escape of his accomplice means authorities are still pursuing another suspect connected to the latest incident.
The killing of Waseem had raised serious concerns because of the victim’s young age and the alleged circumstances of his death. Authorities now face the task of locating the remaining suspect and establishing the full sequence of events surrounding both the original murder case and the encounter.
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