SARGODHA: The alleged killer of a teenage boy, who had gone missing and was later found murdered near a drain along Sajuka Road, Farooka, some 40 kilometres from here, was “killed in his accomplices’ firing during a police encounter” on Wednesday.

According to a complainant, Ata Ullah, his nephew Talha (16), son of Sanaullah, a resident of Hafizabad locality of Farooka, Sahiwal tehsil, on Sargodha-Jhang road, left home with his friend Ali, son of Afzal, on Tuesday but did not return home.

The boy’s family and relative kept searching for him but to no avail.

On Wednesday, Talha’s body was found with his throat slit near a drain.

The complainant alleged that Talha was murdered by Ali.

The police shifted the body hospital for the postmortem examination and started investigations.

Following the boy’s murder, the locals staged a protest, demanding immediate arrest of the nominated suspect.

Meanwhile, as per police, when a team of Tirkhanwala police conducted a raid on Ali’s house for his arrest, the suspect and his accomplices opened fire on them.

The police retaliated in self-defence, ensuing a crossfire.

After some time, when the firing stopped, the police found Ali lying dead. The police claimed that the suspect was killed in the firing by his own accomplices, who fled the seen.

‘GAMBLERS’ HELD: Police claimed to have arrested 34 suspects for betting on a cockfight in a raid in Sargodha city.

The police said they raided a premises in the city where a cockfight was going on and bets were being placed on the banned sport.

They said they seized Rs80,000 stake money, four cocks, 29 mobile phones and 10 motorcycles during the raid and arrested 34 suspects involved in betting, registering a case against them under the Gambling Act.

INJURED: A man was allegedly injured in the firing by robbers who fled away after the incident occurring on Zainpur Road in Bhera tehsil.

According to sources, two armed motorcyclists attempted to rob one Mohsin Razaq of Zainpur of cash and valuables.

When Mohsin offered resistance, the robbers opened fire and fled away, leaving the man injured.

The injured man was shifted to local THQ hospital. The police are investigating.

WORKSHOP: The Office of Research, Innovation & Commercialization (ORIC) at the University of Sargodha (UoS) organised one-day training workshop on ‘Intellectual Property Rights (IPR)’, for the faculty members and postgraduate students.

During the workshop, the participants were informed about patents, copyrights, trademarks, geographic indications and relevant legal process for registration in Pakistan and abroad.

Retired ambassador Mr Farrukh Amil, also chairman of the Intellectual Property Organization (IPO) was the keynote speaker and chief guest at the workshop.

Prof Dr Qaisar Abbas, Vice Chancellor of the UOS, was the guest of honour.

In his address, Mr Amil emphasised the crucial role of research and product development in driving economic growth and encouraged students to become innovators. He advised them to focus on startups that support agriculture, as Pakistan was an agricultural hub.

He urged the students to register their work with the IPO Pakistan, stressing the importance of protecting their creative ideas.

Asma Khattak, Director of Intellectual Property, gave a briefing on trademarks and geographical indications (GI), highlighting their significance in branding and commercialisation.

Published in Dawn, February 27th, 2025