Mastermind in murder of PTI leader, escapes from police raid

DI KHAN /LAHORE (INP): Qari Ikram, mastermind in the murder of PTI leader and religious personality Faqir Jamshed escaped into the forest along with his four accomplices when police raided at his hideout here on Sunday.

DPO Sadiq Hussain Baloch said Sunday that on receipt of intelligence reports,the police raided the hideout of Qari Ikram but before the arrival of the police party, the accused alongwith his four accomplices escaped and fled towards forest.

The DPO said father and uncle of Qari Ikram have been arrested. He said they have also recovered suicide jackets and heavy cache of arms and explosives from his hideouts.

In related development, Pakistan Awami Tehreek (PAT) chief Tahirul Qadri along with several PAT workers were booked Sunday for terrorism and murder as at least three police officers were killed in the violent clashes with PAT workers.

The deceased police constable Muhammad Ashraf’s funeral took place early Sunday morning.

According to the details, the case against Qadri has been registered in Faisal Town police station while cases against PAT workers have been registered in their respective cities including Gojra and Khushab.

Several areas of Punjab presented a picture of battlefield after bloody clashes that took place on Saturday. At least three policemen died as result of violence by the charged workers. Several of PAT workers were also wounded.

Cases under Anti-Terrorism act have been registered against those who attacked police stations in Gojra and Khushab.