ARIFWALA – In a brazen act of lawlessness, armed assailants opened fire inside a medical store in broad daylight within the jurisdiction of City Sadar Police Station, leaving a man critically injured. The attack was reportedly a targeted retaliation against the victims for filing a previous police complaint.
Details of the Incident
According to reports, Sagheer, son of Ismail Arain and a resident of Chak 149 EB, was present at a local medical store when armed gunmen stormed the premises. Shouting threats regarding a previously registered case against them, the attackers opened indiscriminate fire.
Sagheer sustained multiple gunshot wounds and was rushed to the Tehsil Headquarters (THQ) Hospital, Arifwala. Due to his precarious condition, doctors provided initial life-saving treatment before referring him to Sahiwal Teaching Hospital for advanced surgery.
Allegations of Police Negligence
The victim’s family has lashed out at the local police, describing the situation as a total breakdown of the rule of law. They alleged that this was not the first attack:
Prior Assaults: The suspects had previously opened fire on the victim’s residence.
Lack of Action: Despite a formal complaint being lodged after the first incident, the police failed to apprehend the suspects.
Escalation: The family claims that the police’s failure to act emboldened the criminals, leading to the public shooting at the medical store.
A Desperate Plea for Protection
Nadia Qari, the complainant from Chak 149 EB, has issued an urgent appeal to high-ranking officials, including the Punjab Chief Minister and the Inspector General of Police (IGP).
“Our lives are in constant danger,” she stated. “The suspects are roaming free and targeting us for seeking justice. We demand their immediate arrest to ensure the safety of our family before more lives are lost.”
Local residents have expressed growing concern over the rising tide of violence in the area, calling for an immediate inquiry into why the suspects remained at large despite their history of violent behavior.