Rawalpindi's Dhamial police on Tuesday arrested seven men for their alleged involvement in the murder of two young men in Pir Mehr Ali Shah Town on Chakri Road on May 8. The dispute over a mere Rs1,300 led to the tragic loss of two lives.
Arrests Made in Connection with Zain Shah's Murder
The police arrested Sohail Chattah, son of Muhammad Safdar from Raniyal village; Shah Hussain, son of Bismillah Khan; Abdul Basit, son of Taj Ali; Muhammad Amjad Khan, son of Tilawat Khan; Luqman Khan, son of Muhammad Sharif; and Hamzah Khan, son of Afzal Khan, all residents of Gulzar Valley on Chakri Road. These six men were taken into custody for abducting 19-year-old Zain Shah and torturing him to death.
Separate Arrest for Siraj Khan's Murder
In a separate development, the police arrested Zohaib Hasab, son of Javed Iqbal, a resident of Dhoke Kamaan near Raniyal village, in connection with the murder of 25-year-old Siraj Khan. The double murder gained widespread attention on social media due to the brutal circumstances, the violence inflicted on Zain, and the communal aspect as Siraj was a Pashtun and Zain was Punjabi.
Dispute Over Small Cash Leads to Tragedy
Investigations and medical examinations revealed that the dispute over a small cash payment escalated into a deadly incident. Siraj Khan, a general store owner in the area, had a disagreement with Zain Shah over the payment of Rs1,300. On May 8, the two had an altercation at the store. Later, Siraj, along with his relatives and friends, reportedly went to Zain's house to confront him. There, Siraj was shot dead allegedly by Aoun Chaudhry, a friend of Zain.
Brutal Retaliation and Abduction
In retaliation, Siraj's relatives abducted Zain, tortured him to death, and then dragged his dead body through the streets tied behind a motorbike. The First Information Report (FIR) lodged by Dhamial police includes the complaint of Muhammad Sharif, Siraj's elder brother and a native of Waziristan. Sharif stated that his brother was shot dead by Aoun Chaudhry after a dispute over money. He said Siraj and his cousins went to Zain's house to complain about the fight, but Aoun Chaudhry shot Siraj dead.
Police Record Both Families' Versions
The police have also recorded the version of Zain's family and added charges of kidnapping, torture, and mutilation of the dead body. The case continues to be investigated as the community mourns the loss of two young lives over a trivial amount.
