BAHAWALPUR: The prime suspect in the murder of an orphaned teenager in Multan, identified as Tauqeer Nazir, was killed in an alleged encounter with Punjab’s Crime Control Department (CCD) near Bahawalpur on Wednesday, police said. The Multan orphan murder suspect had reportedly escaped from police custody while on a four-day physical remand in the case involving the death of Waseem Abbas.
Multan Orphan Murder Suspect Killed After Alleged Custody Escape
CCD District Officer Irfan Akbar said a police team attempted to stop two men riding a motorcycle near Bahawalpur’s Northern Bypass. According to the official, the men opened fire on police while attempting to flee, triggering an exchange of gunfire.
Tauqeer was reportedly struck by bullets fired by his accomplice and died at the scene, while the other man escaped, the CCD official said.
Police have not explained how Tauqeer escaped custody or reached Bahawalpur while on remand. Authorities have yet to disclose the exact circumstances of his reported escape.
Suspect Was on Four-Day Remand in Teenager’s Murder Case
A judicial magistrate in Multan had granted police four days of physical remand to question Tauqeer in connection with Waseem Abbas’s murder. The suspect was also reportedly assaulted by lawyers during his court appearance a day earlier.
Police said another suspect, identified as Amjad, remains at large in connection with the case.
Orphaned Teenager Allegedly Chased and Run Over in Multan
Tauqeer was the prime suspect in the killing of Waseem Abbas, an orphaned teenager who was allegedly chased and run over by a car in Multan’s Royal Orchard housing society.
According to police, Waseem had been living at an NGO-run orphanage before being sent to work with Tauqeer to learn electrical work about a week before his death. The teenager reportedly wanted to leave the job because of alleged mistreatment.
Police said Tauqeer pursued Waseem in a car after the teenager fled his workplace and allegedly ran him over. CCTV footage reportedly showed Waseem running away before being struck by the vehicle.
Investigators said their initial findings revealed no evidence that Waseem was involved in theft.
Punjab Information Minister Azma Bokhari had earlier said Tauqeer and his associate, Amjad, allegedly chased the teenager for about one kilometre before running him over.
A murder case was registered against the suspects under Sections 302 and 34 of the Pakistan Penal Code. Police also detained several orphanage staff members for questioning as part of the investigation.
Waseem, who belonged to Muzaffargarh district, was laid to rest in his ancestral graveyard in Daultpur village.
