LAHORE: Reports by the Punjab Forensic Science Agency (PFSA), in the case of firing on the Model Town residence of Supreme Court Judge Justice Ijazul Ahsan last month, suggest that it was firing into the air rather than a targeted attack.

The Joint Investigation Team (JIT), constituted to ascertain facts in the case, has consolidated its initial findings in the light of the PFSA’s report, and submitted it to Punjab Inspector General retired Capt Arif Nawaz for final consideration, a senior official privy to the information told Dawn.

He said the initial report was based on scientific analysis, which had categorically ruled out the possibility of an armed attack on the residence of Justice Ahsan. The PFSA had analysed two bullets found from the residence of the Supreme Court judge in the wake of firing incidents that had occurred on April 14 and 15, he said.

Quoting the FIR, the official said that shots were said to have been fired twice on the house of Justice Ahsan — one at 10:45pmon April 14, and at 9:45am the next morning.

“The two samples (bullets) analysed at the PFSA were found to be stray bullets,” PFSA Director General Dr Ashraf Tahir told Dawn.

He said before concluding the report, the forensic and police experts had also reproduced the crime scene and fired shots using a 9mm pistol from various ranges.

They were of the opinion that bullets fired from a 9mm pistol could hit a target effectively if they were shot within a range of 40 metres, he said, adding that the exercise carried out by experts at the crime scene showed that the bullet founds from the residence of the Supreme Court judge were fired from a considerable distance.

“We have also explained the outcome of the PFSA report to Chief Justice of Pakistan Justice Saqib Nisar and Justice Ijazul Ahsan,” Dr Tahir said.

He added the report had categorically declared the incident to be a result of “stray bullets” landing in his house.

Published in Dawn, May 23rd, 2018