RAWALPINDI: Three transgenders were shot dead and six other people were injured after two gunmen ambushed them in the bustling Rialto Chowk on Saturday night.

Ahmed alias Tania, who was among the injured, in her statement told the police that she along with some other transgenders were standing at the corner of a street in Chamanzar Colony when two motorcycle riders brandishing guns reached there and opened fire on them. As a result, two of the transgenders died on the spot and five other people, including three transgenders, injured.

On Saturday morning, Amir Shahzadi alias Saima Shahzadi, one of the injured, also died at the intensive care unit (ICU) of the District Headquarters Hospital. The other injured, including two transgenders, were stated to be out of danger at the DHQ hospital.

It may be noted that on May 5, the decomposed body of a transgender was found from a greenbelt at Koral. Police said the deceased, Falak Sher alias Bijli, a native of Bahawalpur, was strangled. The motive behind the murder could not be ascertained.

Five injured, including two transvestites, are admitted to DHQ hospital

The dead from Saturday night’s attack were identified as Yasin alias Billi, Hamza Tanveer alias Shah Zaib and Amir alias Saima.

“The attackers could be those who did not like the presence of transgenders in the locality,” said Almas Bobby, who is the president of the Shemale Foundation Pakistan, adding that a large number of transgenders were seen standing in the locality at the time of the attack.

Police official Asghar Ali, who is leading an investigation into the triple murder case, told Dawn that the sketches of the two attackers had been prepared to trace them. He said some transgenders were also detained for questioning.

“The motive behind the triple murder is not clear but it could be religious extremism or robbery cases allegedly committed by some transvestites,” he added.

The IO said a number of transgenders had been found involved in robberies in the recent past.

“One fresh case involving a transgenders is under investigation.”

Published in Dawn, May 11th, 2015

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