TOBA TEK SINGH: A forest department guard was kidnapped and later murdered in Chak 649-GB of Jaranwala tehsil.

Police claimed that Muhammad Akram had forbidden accused Muhammad Shabbir and his accomplices from stealing trees from the forest. Over this, police claimed, the accused abducted him away and axed him to death and dumped his body under debris in the home of accused Shabbir.

Police claimed the body was recovered on the indication of Shabbir, while the Jaranwala Saddar Police were conducting raids to arrest the other accused.

Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz expressed deep grief and sorrow over the killing of the forest ranger. She paid tribute to the official and said the sacrifice of Akram, who laid down his life in the line of duty to safeguard national forest resources, would always be remembered.

She also directed the authorities concerned to ensure the immediate arrest of those involved in the incident.

Meanwhile, a mentally challenged man identified as Abdul Rashid (60) committed suicide by cutting his throat with a chopper in Chak 109-JB, Khurrianwala, of Nishatabad Police area in Faisalabad.

Published in Dawn, February 21st, 2026