FIR registered against TikToker Mr Patlu after deadly stampede

SIALKOT: Police have registered a case against TikToker Ansar Mahmood, popularly known as Mr Patlu, his brother and several event organisers after a stampede at his wedding Mehndi ceremony left one person dead and at least 18 others injured in Sialkot.

The incident took place on Saturday night at Faraz Cricket Ground on Daska Road, where hundreds of people had gathered for the wedding celebrations and a prize-distribution event.

According to the FIR, Mr Patlu had invited a large crowd through social media, attracting people with announcements of prizes, including motorcycles and a car. The event was scheduled to begin after Isha prayers.

The situation reportedly turned violent when Mr Patlu allegedly announced through a microphone that everyone should immediately enter the ground. Following the announcement, a large number of people rushed towards the entrance simultaneously, triggering a stampede.

Several attendees fell to the ground, while others were trapped beneath the crowd. A man identified as Aqeel, a resident of Budha Goraya, was crushed to death during the incident.

Police confirmed that 18 people sustained injuries. The victims included Muhammad Rafiq, Rehan, Azam, Muhammad Siddique, Hammad, Abdul Rasheed, Mansoor Ali, Arshad Mahmood, Sarfaraz, Zulfiqar, Rehman Ali, Ehsanullah, Muhammad Danish, Mudassar, Tasawar Abbas, Muhammad Hanif, Mehboob Hussain and Munawar Ali.

The injured belonged to different areas, including Sialkot, Daska, Gujranwala, Lahore, Khanewal, Sheikhupura, Zafarwal and Azad Kashmir.

The local police registered the case on the complaint of Station House Officer Mubeen Cheema under multiple provisions of the Pakistan Penal Code, including Sections 322, 431, 440, 188, 109, 148 and 149. Section 16 of the Punjab Maintenance of Public Order Ordinance, 1960, was also included.

Besides Mr Patlu, the FIR names his brother Kashif, cricket ground owner Haji Shahid Javed and several people allegedly involved in organising the event. They include Daniyal, Muneer Ahmed, Mohsin Ali, Irshad Ali, Abdullah and Zubair Mansha.

According to the police complaint, the organisers allegedly violated safety conditions and standard operating procedures attached to the permission granted for the gathering.

Police said dozens of security guards had been deployed to control the crowd. However, the arrangements reportedly failed to prevent the sudden rush following the stage announcement.

The incident also led to protests and disruption on the main Daska-Sialkot Road, where people gathered following the tragedy.

Police have launched an investigation to establish the circumstances that led to the stampede and determine the responsibility of those involved.