Multan teen murder suspect killed in Bahawalpur encounter

The prime suspect in the killing of a 14-year-old boy in Multan was reportedly killed in an alleged encounter with police in Bahawalpur early Wednesday, according to police officials. The suspect had allegedly escaped from police custody.

According to sources, personnel of the Crime Control Department (CCD) attempted to stop two men travelling on a motorcycle near Bahawalpur’s Northern Bypass. An exchange of fire followed, leaving the suspect dead.

The development came a day after a Multan court granted police three-day physical remand of the suspect for investigation into the teenager’s death. Police had requested a 14-day remand.

The suspect was arrested on Monday and produced before Judicial Magistrate Saadia Aslam on Tuesday. He was accused of running over the boy with a car in a private housing society in Multan. The victim reportedly worked for the suspect and was learning electrical work.

Multan City Police Officer Akhtar Farooq said on Tuesday that police were conducting raids to arrest another suspect allegedly involved in the case. Expressing grief over the teenager’s death, he said the orphan boy had been subjected to extreme brutality.

CCTV footage of the incident showed the teenager running along a road as a car approached him. The vehicle appeared to swerve towards the boy and chase him before striking him. The impact threw the teenager towards the gate of a nearby house, where he died.

A case was registered on behalf of the state at the DHA police station in Multan. The first information report (FIR) named two suspects and included charges under Sections 302 and 34 of the Pakistan Penal Code, relating to intentional murder and acts committed with common intention.

According to the FIR, the teenager had been working for the suspects and receiving training as an electrician. His cousin told police that the boy had allegedly faced violence and threats from them.

The FIR further stated that the teenager was fleeing when the suspects allegedly chased him in a car and struck him. Police arrested one suspect, while the other escaped. The vehicle allegedly used in the incident was also taken into custody.