Teenage accused in murder of 7-year-old killed during escape bid: police

E-Paper | May 01, 2026

LAHORE: The prime suspect in the assault and murder of a seven-year-old boy in Lahore's Green Town area was killed during a foiled escape bid, while being shifted to an anti-terrorism court (ATC) in the provincial capital city on Monday, police sources claimed.

Teenager Shoaib was the prime suspect in the murder of the seven-year-old boy whose body was found hanged at a mosque on Jan 2, a day after he was kidnapped near his house in Lahore’s Green Town.

Read: Boy assaulted, murdered

Police had taken a number of suspects in custody before carrying out a thorough investigation that included DNA and polygraph tests. The other suspects were later released.

The murder mystery was solved after the DNA report of 17-year-old Shoaib, had confirmed him as the convict.

Also read: Police ‘solve’ minor’s murder mystery

Shoaib was being transported to the ATC today when he allegedly made an escape bid after snatching the rifle of a police guard escorting him when the vehicle he was travelling in neared Muslim Town underpass, police sources claimed.

Sources added that the suspect was killed in an ensuing encounter.

Also read Minor's murder: Lahore ATC remands teenager, orders prayer leader's release

Initially a video circulating on social media websites had shown a muezzin (prayer caller) 'confessing’ to the gruesome assault and murder in front of local police.

The video was not verified by police nor recognised by the court hearing the case.

Later a probe by the CIA police had declared the muezzin innocent in the murder, following which he was released on the orders of Lahore's ATC No. 2.

Also read: Muezzin cleared, teenager now prime suspect in murder of 6-year-old

Capital City Police Officer (CCPO) Amin Wains had claimed during a press conference that Shoaib, a hairdresser in Behari colony, had confessed to his crime during investigation.

Capital City Police spokesperson Nayab Haider had told Dawn that police had taken eight suspects into custody for interrogation, including the prayer caller.

He said the prayer caller confessed to only raping the boy but did not confess killing which was confirmed by the DNA report.

The spokesman had also said the prayer caller would be booked for sexually assaulting the minor boy.

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saad

Jan 26, 2015 12:01pm

Wow. That was a quick session of justice. Waiting for more details.

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Farhan

Jan 26, 2015 12:05pm

"Initially the prayer leader of the mosque, where the body of the 7-year-old boy was found, had `confessed’ to the gruesome crime but police later claimed the prayer leader had only sexually assaulted the boy.." What?? So what happened to the prayer leader?

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MAD

Jan 26, 2015 12:05pm

This was a cover up. the way the kid was killed doesnt seem like a teenager would have pulled it off. It seems the real killer is now free.

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Omair

Jan 26, 2015 12:11pm

I hope the boy has not been made a scapegoat for some one influential.

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MAK

Jan 26, 2015 12:14pm

Classic example of 'encounter'

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Masood Bhai

Jan 26, 2015 12:20pm

It is a sad state that I find very hard to believe anything, least of all police versions of death in their custody. May God rest the returned souls i peace.

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akhtar aleem syed, advocate

Jan 26, 2015 12:20pm

Too many twists in the story make its credibility questionable. How comes the prayer leaders confessed the crime which he didn't commit. May be the teenager was the main eye witness and didn't commit the crime himself. May be while in custody, he was subjected to the same offence which he had allegedly committed as per police version. I doubt the truth will ever be known.

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farhad

Jan 26, 2015 12:22pm

easy said than done. all sundries will either be killed in shoot outs or all fugitives will be killed one after another in different cases.... without any proof whether they really committed that particular crime.... easy. only this govt can offer such candy-sugar solution.

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khan

Jan 26, 2015 12:27pm

"Moezzan confessed initially" shows what our police can do and in the process many innocent people are punished for the crime they never committed! Even death penality.

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Merchant

Jan 26, 2015 12:27pm

A teenager able to have a gun encounter with police!!! I find it very hard to believe. I don't think justice will ever be served.

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siddiqullah

Jan 26, 2015 12:28pm

No body knows the truth...police is very good at making up the stories...and why don't you try the prayer leader in the ATC as well when he himself confessed that he sexually assaulted the kid two days ago or you think its not a crime in this part of the world anymore.

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mks

Jan 26, 2015 12:32pm

It smell fish in this whole story. And now killing of teenage prime suspect add some more stench.

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mashael

Jan 26, 2015 12:36pm

what a cover up. The poor guy was probably lured with money that if he confesses he will be cleared somehow and receive some money for acceptig the blame. But that was never to happen. The guy took the blame and then eecuted before the truth could be revealed. We are so naive that we caqnnot see the truth. Maulana clearly took the responsibility in fornt of the media and without any pressure but then still our police had to find a scapegoat under the pressure from religious fundamentalists. Its tru- we deserve to parish. We, as a nation, are not worthy of this civilised world.

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zahoor

Jan 26, 2015 12:40pm

sure fake encounter by police shows there inability to solve this case on merit

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gohar

Jan 26, 2015 12:40pm

Mysterious ending to a mysterious case!

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Bernama

Jan 26, 2015 12:43pm

From the beginning it was apparent that the teenager was framed to save the real murderer and now he has been eliminated to complete the cover up. It is a travesty of justice.

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Yasir!

Jan 26, 2015 12:43pm

thats called quick justice.

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Omar

Jan 26, 2015 12:44pm

Rule number 1 is don't run from the police and then rule number 2 is don't snatch his gun! @ Masood bhai sometimes stories are just what they are. No need to read into it too much!

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unknown

Jan 26, 2015 12:44pm

No one believes this false story.He should be sentenced by court of law for his crime.

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Saraz

Jan 26, 2015 12:47pm

Definitely The muezzin had confessed the crime he did not commit only because of torture. It was only later the police found the contrary evidence. Imagine the police inefficiency and resulting brutality!

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Humanity

Jan 26, 2015 12:49pm

This case and the guesome act done by this teenager was an eye opener for our authorities that where our young uneducated lot is going and thinking on which lines. As this is not only one case, many young uneducated youths are wandering in the streets with same ambitions. A fact finding mission should be designated that acts like these do not happen in the future and the very root cause should be identified and eliminated at once.

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Zeeshan

Jan 26, 2015 12:49pm

Something must be fishy!

Recommend 0

Jan 26, 2015 12:50pm

He was a rapist and a murderer of a 7yr old boy. He was found guilty through forensic tests and confessed to it. He was a juvenile and couldn't be hanged. Such people are a menace for the society. Police did the right thing by eradicating it.

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shamain

Jan 26, 2015 12:51pm

If a 17 year old had truly raped n murdered den what you Guys have to say??? U sure he wouldnt repeat?

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Umar

Jan 26, 2015 12:51pm

Why are they trying cases like these in anti-terrorism courts? This is not a terrorist offence. They should rename the courts to Public Outrage Courts if they want to use them for all cases that outrage the general public.

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imran

Jan 26, 2015 12:51pm

investigation means torcher and encounter means murder nobody will do sit in for the problems really matters.

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Charlie

Jan 26, 2015 12:54pm

When Indian police does the same thing killing a criminal when he or she is trying to escape there is so much hue and cry(if they are muslim), why there is so much silence now. Or is it really a fake encounter and you are trying to hide the fact?

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Independent Observer

Jan 26, 2015 12:56pm

The plot thickens. This keeps sounding more and more like a cover-up by the minute. Question is, who is protecting the original suspect?

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Imtiaz

Jan 26, 2015 12:57pm

Whenever a mullah is culprit in a case, a scapegoat is found and this case murdered. Sanctity of religion has to be maintained at costs.

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asgher

Jan 26, 2015 12:59pm

there is no conspiracy theory here people! DNA report shows no mixup in anything Only issue was Moazzin was beaten like crap to wrongfully confess a crime he never committed. Thanks to Police!!

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noman

Jan 26, 2015 12:59pm

Muezzin could be the real suspect. In all such incidents the prime convicts are always the muezzins or Molvis.

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vaqas

Jan 26, 2015 01:03pm

What a farcical end to highlight the utter corruption of justice in this country.

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Imran

Jan 26, 2015 01:09pm

After reading this one really has doubts on who the murderer is and who seems innocent. An encounter of a 17 year old boy and that too a barber ? makes one think that the police is more like a private militia !

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awais

Jan 26, 2015 01:13pm

something very fishy

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saqib

Jan 26, 2015 01:13pm

What is this news . To create Confusion, Can someone tell clearly What happened!! and how the Boy killed and why the Prayer Caller is free since he confessed already.

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A shah

Jan 26, 2015 01:14pm

We killed a child, well done

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Riaz

Jan 26, 2015 01:14pm

The police officials escorting must be charged for negligence, murder creates many doubts.

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A shah

Jan 26, 2015 01:14pm

The real killer enjoys the luxury of mosques and protection of ISLAM

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amnagi

Jan 26, 2015 01:15pm

Seems, there is something fishy, teenager was framed up and killed in a suspicious encounter and what about that paedophile muezzin ?

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Parvez

Jan 26, 2015 01:17pm

So.....the clergy is not touchable ?...........another killing in the good name of religion.

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Abrar

Jan 26, 2015 01:22pm

DNA test is a fool-proof test to establish guilt of a suspect in cases of sexual assault. Since this suspects DNA was found on the murdered victim, he was guilty of his murder beyond any doubt.

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nabil

Jan 26, 2015 01:22pm

DNA proved the 17 year old sexually molested but what technique did he use to hang the poor 7 year old? the prayer leader should be kept in custody for further investigation,it definitely seems there is third person involved. Ensuing encounter seems very dubious, how many policemen were in the van with the 17 year old?.

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Tariq

Jan 26, 2015 01:23pm

The video circulated earlier, showing a beard man, is actually old & I had watched it few months back. The confession video of the hairdresser Shoaib is new. By the way police delivered the justice before it is too late, as delay in justice is injustice.

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Sikander

Jan 26, 2015 01:24pm

How would they all including police and judiciary will face when the God is going to set His court?????????????????

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UFO

Jan 26, 2015 01:29pm

Looks like two children are killed in this whole drama. One killed inside mosque and the other teenager being made an scapegoat and the killed to wipe off evidence. Where is government?

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Paggri Sanbhaal

Jan 26, 2015 01:30pm

Good news.Revenge of nature.

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Khan-Haqiqi

Jan 26, 2015 01:31pm

It shows how powerful the mullah brigade is the kid has been make an escape goat, the Muazzin confessed to raping the boy, then why he has been released?

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Feku

Jan 26, 2015 01:32pm

What a joke? They think people are idiots to believe such a fabricated story.

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anees zaidvi

Jan 26, 2015 01:35pm

@Omair - He definitely has been made. No doubt...

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Aussie

Jan 26, 2015 01:39pm

GHQ needs these mullahs for their heinous agenda, so he is free.

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karachi Wally

Jan 26, 2015 01:43pm

As usual prayer leader was saved, strong hands of religious parties are controlling crime in this country. Not sure even if my comment will be published.

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Abdul

Jan 26, 2015 01:53pm

Pls pls pls dawn management or any 1 of u pakistani who can approach supreme or hi court request them to take somotive in this case.far sake of ALLAH . Pls my nation wakeup y we r quiet because that 7year child and this 16 year accused had no army background? It bites bt its truth.

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Ismail

Jan 26, 2015 01:54pm

As usual the 'religious' pederast escapes as he only raped the poor child while the other sicko bought it. Prayer caller will become qari and from qari a mullah and hence senior pederast raping boys at will. What Islam is this?

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amnagi

Jan 26, 2015 01:57pm

And what does Ulema and these protestors against blasphemy say about paedophile muezzin ?

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yogi

Jan 26, 2015 02:00pm

No words to express. Pl protect the children.

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omer khan shaheen

Jan 26, 2015 02:14pm

And then every one tries to question the military courts?

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Asad

Jan 26, 2015 02:19pm

Fake encounters have always been trademark of Shahbaz Sharif regime

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Abbas Ali

Jan 26, 2015 02:21pm

After reading comments, the only thing I can say, God save the world from human beings.

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Adnan Khan

Jan 26, 2015 02:25pm

These sort of incidents are portrayal of a society which losing its value day by day, where deeds have turned from bad to worse and now to ugly and inhumane. Starting from killing of a 7 year old to encounter of a 17 year old, we have glaring question. A nation we should have been and a nation we are, mentally sick and physically lethargic. Hypocrisy, deception, fraud, immorality are some of the traits which are becoming synonymous with our society. We should be realizing that faults lies in basic unit of society that is in our own individual houses. Uncontrolled and unguided access to universe of world wide web is poisoning us. Our kids observe us lying, deceiving, watching what should not be watched, cracking jokes which are very least to say are ‘Vulgar’. Are we fulfilling the responsibilities as parents and grandparents? If we put the basic unit of society in order, the larger society will automatically be in order.

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Ali

Jan 26, 2015 02:55pm

Last I heard it takes a good 3 to 6 months to get DNA results in Pakistan. How is it that the DNA results came back so quick? I believe the victims of the deadly bus crash that burned are still waiting for identification through DNA testing. Maybe they can send their information to the great Punjab Police.

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azhar

Jan 26, 2015 03:01pm

deplorable

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Saad Khan

Jan 26, 2015 03:07pm

Such a shame that prayer caller, someone who represents the religion sexually assaulted a minor...he is not having mercy in his heart. Why is he calling others for prayers?? I don't believe the fabricated story by the police and the twist & turns in the event. My heart goes to the victim family and I pray Allah to grant a place in Jannah to the little angel. And these beasts who committed this shameful act will face their doom in this world and hereafter

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Arif Aslam Khan

Jan 26, 2015 03:13pm

Another Shabaz Sharif's special.Custodial killing is his Trade Mark. Stop this brutal non-sense.

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observer

Jan 26, 2015 03:25pm

Here is a handful of salt. To go with News, what else?

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Shahram Khan

Jan 26, 2015 03:29pm

I smell Conspiracy and coverups for Big Shots.

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Muhsmmad Faroow

Jan 26, 2015 03:29pm

"Encounter " to cover up the truth is old police way of frustrating justice. Anyone behind the crime may be pretty influential. Is there any institution in the country to investigate into it?

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S. A. M.

Jan 26, 2015 03:53pm

C'mon how can you release the muezzin when he admitted to have sexually assaulted the child. the muezzin and hai dresser may have committed the crime in each others support. the muezzin must be punished severely

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Mui

Jan 26, 2015 04:00pm

this is another trick to safe the real culprit the raper molvi

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lubna

Jan 26, 2015 04:05pm

i think police killed the boy to make sure he gets enough punishment,,as courts and law often release convicts

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Reformist

Jan 26, 2015 04:11pm

Congrats! beard man again escaped....because he was the beard one. the poor teenager, and the build up story by police. OMG shows our level as how much we are fooled and by whom.

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Asif Kahmiri

Jan 26, 2015 04:28pm

Pakistan Zindabad!

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Abaid

Jan 26, 2015 04:29pm

Something fishy..

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Husain Jan

Jan 26, 2015 04:41pm

Escape attempt or whatever....it is hard to believe the police version for sure. Even if he tried to escape he could easily have been hit in the leg to make him surrender instead of killing him. These socalled encounters are not accepted by masses who believe that generally police kill the suspects in order to save the real culprits. Even Supreme court had heard such encounter cases in the past but what happened later on is not known. Question : When many people free from courts after rejection of their bail applications then in that case why do police not shoot at them and let them flee in their presence. No smell of connivance at all ???

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Shah

Jan 26, 2015 04:41pm

Encounter!

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lkhan

Jan 26, 2015 05:17pm

This whole case is absolutely shameful. If Pakistanis can not have rule of law, they will not prosper....

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F.H

Jan 26, 2015 07:15pm

How could he snatch arm while handcuffed? Another murder by police

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F.H

Jan 26, 2015 07:18pm

@MAD it's so obvious

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Umar Shahzad

Jan 26, 2015 08:59pm

I believe even if this was encounte, the police did the right thing

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Khan

Jan 26, 2015 09:16pm

Typical Punjab Police 'encounter'.

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umer salahuddin

Jan 26, 2015 10:18pm

This incident needs to be investigated

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Tin Tin

Jan 26, 2015 10:49pm

Suspicious! Very suspicious!

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adil jadoon

Jan 26, 2015 11:24pm

This is murder. Lahore police are the worst and most corrupt in the world. This country is a farce and I will never live there again.

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Khurshid

Jan 27, 2015 12:21am

Teenager was made a scape goat, killed in an encounter which is very normal for this kind of cases in Pakistan, where police killed innocents in fake encounters to save the influential ones.

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saeeds

Jan 27, 2015 12:23am

@Omair influential mean religious person.

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Ahmed Baloch

Jan 27, 2015 01:03am

Fishy story by the police to wash off its hand.Someone real behind the killing has escaped and someone was made scapegoat.Police knows the reality but it made someone a scapgoat.

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NASR

Jan 27, 2015 02:49am

This case as usual of the nature it is, looks shrouded in mystery.

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Irshad Khan Canada

Jan 27, 2015 04:06am

Was the accused really trying to escape or it was a quick justice by Punjab Police.

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nasiroski

Jan 27, 2015 04:41am

I just saw the picture of the accused boy (teenager) and now I have real suspicion about this encounter. This needs to be investigated, not that any action will be taken against the godfathers of Punjab police (Khadim e aala) but public will see his barbaric face again, especially the the deaf dumb and blind who vote for them

Recommend 0

David Salmon

Jan 27, 2015 05:27am

Can anything or anyone be believed in this case? Even the "DNA report" could be falsified.

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Bachabassi

Jan 27, 2015 06:24am

If the prayer leader didn't do the killing why did he confess? If the prayer leader raped the kid his DNA also be on victims body, so how did the police determine who killed the boy. It sounds very fishy and the encounter even sounds more stinky.

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Arshad

Jan 27, 2015 07:30am

I think the teen was deliberately killed to cover up the imam.

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NaMaaloom Fard

Jan 27, 2015 09:10am

Now that's a classic encounter!

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