Lahore Police solve headless body case, arrest suspect

LAHORE: Lahore Police have solved a blind murder case involving the recovery of a headless body from Badami Bagh, arresting the alleged killer who reportedly attempted to frame his step-brother by leaving a copy of the latter’s Computerised National Identity Card (CNIC) at the crime scene.

SSP Investigation Lahore Muhammad Naveed Khan said investigators traced the suspect through modern technology and human intelligence after the discovery of a tortured body stuffed in a gunny bag in an empty plot near Usman Chowk, Badami Bagh.

The victim’s neck had been slit, and his body bore marks of torture. A CNIC copy found in a pocket initially misdirected investigators, while the unidentified body was shifted to a morgue for examination.

Police later recovered the victim’s severed head from Muridke on the alleged killer’s identification. The victim’s son, who travelled from Nowshera Virkan in Gujranwala district, subsequently identified him as his 56-year-old father, Shafiq, son of Munir Ahmed.

Property Dispute Behind Murder

According to SSP Naveed Khan and SP Investigation City Farhat Abbas, investigators believe the murder stemmed from a property dispute.

Police said the suspect allegedly killed the victim, dismembered his body and disposed of different parts at separate locations to conceal the crime and mislead investigators. The CNIC copy reportedly belonged to the suspect’s step-brother, whom police subsequently cleared of involvement.

The investigation was led by the Shafiqabad investigation in-charge and his team, who used technological assistance and intelligence gathering to identify and arrest the alleged killer.

Police said the suspect confessed to the crime during questioning. The confession and other evidence will be subject to the legal process.

SSP Naveed Khan said no one would be allowed to escape accountability by attempting to implicate innocent people in serious crimes. He added that a challan would be submitted to court with supporting evidence.

Lahore Investigation Wing Reports Progress

The case comes amid a broader crackdown on serious crimes by Lahore Police’s Investigation Wing, headed by SSP Muhammad Naveed Khan.

According to figures provided by the department, police submitted more than 124,000 challans to courts during the current year and recovered Rs1.97 billion in gang-related cases.

The department also reported tracing 172 murder cases and 330 attempted murder cases. In sexual assault investigations, police traced 339 cases and arrested 416 suspects.

Other reported achievements included the recovery of 5,499 abducted women and children, the arrest of 17,455 proclaimed offenders, including 3,703 in the A category, and the arrest of 6,020 court absconders.

Focus on Investigation Reforms

The Investigation Wing has also introduced refresher courses for investigation officers, training by Punjab Forensic Science Agency experts on crime-scene preservation, and special teams to pursue proclaimed offenders who have fled abroad through Interpol channels.

Daily reviews of serious criminal investigations are also being conducted to monitor progress and address delays.

DIG Investigation Lahore Syed Zeeshan Raza chairs crime review meetings alongside SSP Naveed Khan to assess pending cases.

Police officials said the department would continue strengthening investigations and pursuing suspects in serious crimes, with particular emphasis on offences against women and children.