Touqeer Nazir, the main accused in the death of 15-year-old orphan Waseem Abbas, was killed in an alleged encounter with Punjab’s Crime Control Department (CCD) in Bahawalpur on Wednesday, police said.
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According to the CCD, Nazir had escaped from police custody in Multan, prompting authorities to establish a roadblock to arrest him.
CCD officials said they attempted to stop two motorcyclists near the Northern Bypass in Bahawalpur. The suspects allegedly opened fire while attempting to flee, leading to an exchange of gunfire.
One man was killed in the incident and was later identified by police as Touqeer Nazir. Authorities have not provided further details about the encounter.
Nazir’s death came a day after a court remanded him in police custody for four days in connection with Waseem’s death. The remand period had not been completed when the alleged encounter took place.
How 15-Year-Old Waseem Abbas Was Killed
Waseem Abbas was killed on Tuesday after being struck by a speeding car in a private housing society in Multan. CCTV footage of the incident also surfaced.
Police had arrested Nazir in connection with the teenager’s death and seized the vehicle involved in the incident. A murder case was registered against him on a police complaint.
According to police, Waseem had been learning electrical work under Nazir. In his initial statement, the suspect claimed that the teenager frequently left work without permission and that he had tried to stop him.
Police said Nazir chased Waseem, first on foot and later in a car, accompanied by another man identified as Amjad Ali.
During the pursuit, the speeding vehicle struck Waseem, causing him to collide with the gate of a house. The teenager died at the scene, according to police.
Accused Claimed Car Skidded Before Hitting Teenager
In his account of the incident, Nazir claimed that he was attempting to stop Waseem when the car skidded and struck the teenager.
According to the suspect’s statement, he spotted Waseem near a street corner and accelerated to position the vehicle ahead of him and block his way.
Nazir claimed that the car failed to stop after skidding and that Waseem slipped and became trapped between the vehicle and the house’s gate.
These claims formed part of the suspect’s account of the incident. The circumstances surrounding Waseem’s death had been under police investigation before Nazir was killed.
Investigation Complicated by Accused’s Death
Nazir’s death in the alleged CCD encounter means the investigation into Waseem’s killing will proceed without the main accused being available for further questioning or trial.
Police have not announced additional details about the circumstances of the encounter or provided further information about the status of the case against any other suspects.
The CCD’s account of the encounter and the circumstances surrounding Nazir’s death have not been independently verified. Further official details are awaited.
