NAROWAL: Police have registered a first information report (FIR) for murder against nine people, including a station house officer (SHO) and six police personnel, following the death of a woman allegedly tortured during a police raid in Sialkot.

The complaint was filed by Riaz Ahmed Bajwa, a resident of village Dhe in Narowal. He said on the night of Nov 11-12, Qila Kallarwala (Sialkot) SHO Najam Shah, along with six of his subordinates, raided his home. The raiding team allegedly entered the house by breaking the outer wall, violating the sanctity of the home.

The officials inquired about Riaz Ahmed Bajwa’s son, Amanat Ali.

When Bajwa’s wife, Safia Bibi, asked the police for the reason for the raid, the SHO allegedly ordered his subordinates to torture her.

Bajwa alleged that police personnel along with two others Muhammad Waris and Ziaullah pushed and attacked his wife. He alleged that a police official hit Safia Bibi’s shoulder with a gun butt, as a result she fell on the ground.

The raiding team left the house when Safia Bibi’s condition became critical.

She died on way to the Narowal District Headquarters Hospital.

Bajwa claimed that his son had demanded Rs105,000 from suspect Muhammad Waris in connection with the sale of a buffalo. He alleged that Waris colluded with the police to conduct the raid instead of settling the debt.

The Ndoke police registered an FIR under sections 302, 148 and 149 of the Pakistan Penal Code (PPC) against SHO Najam Shah, Muhammad Waris, Ziaullah, and six unidentified police officials.

The police investigation team has recorded statements from eyewitnesses and collected evidence from the spot.

Safia Bibi’s body was handed over to her relatives after a postmortem examination and necessary legal proceedings.

According to police sources, no arrests have been made so far, and raids are ongoing to arrest the suspects.

Sialkot District Police Officer Faisal Shahzad took immediate notice of the incident and suspended the SHO and all police employees involved in the raid.

The DPO has ordered a detailed departmental inquiry.

Published in Dawn, November 13th, 2025