Talha Ali, a 16-year-old boy, was shot dead when police opened fire on a vehicle. Photo: Express
PESHAWAR:
A 16-year-old boy was shot dead when police opened fire on a vehicle that failed to stop at a checkpoint in Hayatabad’s Industrial Road area, sparking outrage among locals and prompting a protest over the road blockade by the victim’s family.
According to police and family accounts, the incident occurred when the teenager, identified as Talha Ali, son of Manzoor Ali, resident of Safaid Dheri, was returning from shopping in the Jamrud industrial area along with his friends Razi Khan (resident of Tehkal) and Fawad (resident of Afghanistan, currently in Academy Town).
The group was traveling in a vehicle when police told them to stop at a checkpoint on Industrial Road. The vehicle did not stop, so the officers opened fire in pursuit. Talha Ali was run over and died instantly, while the vehicle was damaged.
A passerby, a girl named Iqra, daughter of Akhtar Nawaz, a resident of Regi Lalma, was also injured in the crossfire.
The victim’s brother Zulfiqar Ali lodged an FIR at the police station concerned, accusing the police of the murder. Police quickly registered a case against constable Faisal Rahman, who was arrested in connection with the incident.
Authorities declared that one of the occupants, Razi Khan, is a suspect wanted in murder and other cases at Tehkal police station. He was arrested at the scene.
After the shooting, grieving relatives and sympathizers took the body to the police station and later placed it on the Hayatabad road, staging a protest and chanting slogans against the police. The protesters refused to remove the body until proceedings were initiated against those responsible for the dismissal.
Senior police officials assured the protesters that an FIR had been lodged, prompting the crowd to disperse after several hours.
CCPO Peshawar Dr Mian Saeed Ahmed took notice of the incident and appointed SP Cantt Abdullah Ihsan as investigation officer to investigate the circumstances and submit a detailed report.
The incident has once again raised questions about police procedures during vehicle chases and checkpoints in the provincial capital.
