Two men lost their lives in a deadly 'shootout' outside the Judicial Complex in Rawalpindi on Wednesday, DawnNewsTV reported.

The incident took place when four suspects, accused of committing a murder in 2015, were brought to the District and Sessions Courts, where they came up against Abdul Sattar Khan — the witness summoned by the court to testify against them in the case.

Sattar opened indiscriminate fire at the accused men outside the court building, injuring several, including a bystander. The victims, in retaliation, killed Sattar with his own weapon.

Meanwhile, suspect Fahim succumbed to his injuries on the way to hospital.

Civil Lines police later said the two parties had long been in conflict with each other and that Sattar was carrying two pistols, one of which led to his own demise.

The successful bypassing of security checks and walk-through gates by the deceased witness-cum-assailant created a sense of insecurity among the lawyers and judges.

Following the incident, the police officers deployed at the entrance and exit points of the judicial complex were suspended.

A police official told Dawn that the assailant was able to bypass security checks as he gained entry into the complex in a lawyer's automobile.

"Lawyers don't let their cars and the passengers travelling in it get checked by the security," the official added.

Opinion

Editorial

Iran stalemate
Updated 02 May, 2026

Iran stalemate

THE US and Iran are currently somewhere between war and peace. While a tenuous ceasefire — extended largely due to...
Tax shortfall
02 May, 2026

Tax shortfall

THE Rs684bn shortfall in tax collection during the first 10 months of the fiscal year is a continuation of a...
Teaching inclusion
02 May, 2026

Teaching inclusion

DISCRIMINATORY and exclusionary content in Punjab’s textbooks has been flagged in Inclusive Education for a United...
Water vision
01 May, 2026

Water vision

WATER insecurity in Pakistan has been building up for decades as per capita water availability has declined from...
Vaccine policy
01 May, 2026

Vaccine policy

PAKISTAN has finally approved its first National Vaccine Policy; a step the health ministry has rightly described as...
Labour rights
Updated 01 May, 2026

Labour rights

THE annual observance of May Day should move beyond statements about the state’s commitment to the rights of...