Boy shot dead resisting rape attempt in Vehari

BAHAWALPUR: An eight-year-old boy, Muhammad Ali, was shot dead on Monday after he resisted an alleged attempted rape in Rukanpur, a locality under Tibba Sultanpur police station in Vehari district, according to reports. The incident occurred during the boy's recess when he visited a neighboring house to fetch water. Muhammad Ali allegedly confronted Ali Raza, the suspect, who allegedly attempted to sexually assault him.

The boy bravely put up resistance, causing a panic in the area. A large police force, led by a DSP and Assistant Commissioner Saad Bin Khalid from Mailsi, rushed to the scene following an emergency call. The boy's lifeless body was later transported to Tibba Sultanpur hospital for a postmortem examination. Vehari DPO's PRO, Adnan Tariq, confirmed to Dawn that the suspect allegedly assaulted the boy, who then resisted, leading to the shooting.

The suspect, reportedly alone at his residence, grew enraged upon being confronted and opened fire, killing the boy instantly before fleeing the scene. A case has been registered under Sections 302 and 377 of the Pakistan Penal Code against the suspect, Tassawar Abbas, a driver by profession, by the victim's father. However, the suspect has not been apprehended, and police are actively searching for him.

Deputy Commissioner Vehari Khalid Javed Goraya ordered an inquiry into the incident, appointing an inquiry committee headed by Mailsi Assistant Commissioner Saad Bin Khalid and including the district education officers for male and female students. The committee was tasked with completing the inquiry promptly and identifying any responsible officials for potential disciplinary action.