NAROWAL: The Sialkot police registered a first information report (FIR) under sections of the Anti-Terrorism Act (ATA) against 30 people for an alleged attack on the main Chehlum procession.

According to the FIR registered with the Hajipura Police Station, dozens of devotees were going to the Shahabpura Road to participate in the main procession of the Chehlum of Hazrat Imam Hussain (AS).

A group of people armed with iron rods and weapons tried to forcibly stop the pilgrims near the Alam Chowk of Shahabpura. The armed men pelted the pilgrims with stones and opened fire on them.

Video clips, shared on social media, showed a group of men, holding clubs and weapons, waiting for the procession to arrive. As the procession got near, they opened fire, raised slogans and attacked its participants with clubs.

As a result, Muhammad Azam, Ghulam Shabbir, Syed Hasan Ali, Mudassar Ali, Ghulam Abbas, Muhammad Jameel, Ali Jafar, Muhammad Naeem, Muhammad Nawaz, Saqlain Ali, Ali Zaman, Azmat Ali and Shahbaz Ali were injured due to pelting stones on pilgrims.

Sialkot District Police Officer Faisal Kamran immediately reached the spot along with a heavy contingent of police and the attackers fled from the spot.

Rescue 1122 gave first aid to the injured and shifted them to the Government Sardar Begum Hospital.

Hajipura police registered an FIR under the provisions of terrorism against 30 suspects, including Khalid Mehmood, Muhammad Zubair, Muzamil, Umair Muawiyah, Muhammad Wasim, Zainul Abedin and Maulvi Qaiser.

District Police spokesman Khurram Shahzad said the evil elements who disturbed the peace and order of the city would be dealt with strictly.

Published in Dawn, September 18th, 2022

Opinion

Editorial

‘Source of terror’
Updated 29 Mar, 2024

‘Source of terror’

It is clear that going after militant groups inside Afghanistan unilaterally presents its own set of difficulties.
Chipping in
29 Mar, 2024

Chipping in

FEDERAL infrastructure development schemes are located in the provinces. Most such projects — for instance,...
Toxic emitters
29 Mar, 2024

Toxic emitters

IT is concerning to note that dozens of industries have been violating environmental laws in and around Islamabad....
Judiciary’s SOS
Updated 28 Mar, 2024

Judiciary’s SOS

The ball is now in CJP Isa’s court, and he will feel pressure to take action.
Data protection
28 Mar, 2024

Data protection

WHAT do we want? Data protection laws. When do we want them? Immediately. Without delay, if we are to prevent ...
Selling humans
28 Mar, 2024

Selling humans

HUMAN traders feed off economic distress; they peddle promises of a better life to the impoverished who, mired in...