LAHORE MIRROR — Tauqeer Nazir, the prime suspect in the killing of a 15-year-old orphaned boy in Multan, was killed in an alleged police encounter near Bahawalpur, police said.
According to District Officer of the Crime Control Department (CCD) Irfan Akbar, police attempted to stop two motorcyclists on Bahawalpur’s Northern Bypass. The suspects allegedly opened fire while trying to flee. During the exchange of fire, Tauqeer was reportedly killed by a shot fired by his accomplice, who escaped from the scene.
Akbar said Tauqeer had been arrested after the incident and produced before a court, which had granted police four-day physical remand. However, he subsequently escaped from police custody.
The suspect had allegedly run over and killed 15-year-old Wasim Abbas with a car on Monday. The orphaned boy reportedly no longer wanted to work for Tauqeer because of his alleged inhumane treatment.
During an earlier court appearance, lawyers had also reportedly assaulted the suspect.
CCTV footage reveals chilling details
The killing took place in a private housing society in Multan, where multiple CCTV recordings emerged showing the boy being chased before a car was deliberately driven over him.
The footage from different camera angles contradicted attempts to portray the incident as an accident. One recording showed the boy running while the suspects pursued him, while another captured the moment a speeding car struck him, killing him at the scene.
Following the incident, police launched an investigation, arrested Tauqeer Nazir and registered a murder case against him.
Boy sent to learn electrical work
Multan City Police Officer Akhtar Farooq said Wasim had been living at an orphanage run by a non-governmental organisation (NGO). He had been sent to Tauqeer to learn electrical work just seven days before the incident.
According to police, Tauqeer took electrical work contracts at various buildings and had previously provided vocational training to other children from the same orphanage.
Investigators said the boy was allegedly pursued and run over after he decided to leave the job.
The circumstances surrounding Tauqeer’s death in the reported police encounter are expected to form part of the official investigation.
