ISLAMABAD: A local court in the federal capital on Wednesday approved a five-day physical remand of suspects arrested in the murder case of businessman Aamir Awan, directing police to produce them again upon completion of the remand period.

The accused were presented before the court of Judicial Magistrate Ehtisham Muqarab following their arrest by the capital police in connection with the killing of the businessman during a dacoity at his farmhouse.

During the hearing, the investigating officer sought an eight-day physical remand, arguing that the custody of the suspects was required to recover the murder weapon as well as looted valuables. However, the court granted a five-day remand and ordered the police to present the accused again after April 6. The hearing was subsequently adjourned.

The case has been registered at Shahzad Town Police Station and further investigation is underway.

According to police, all five suspects involved in the high-profile murder were arrested within 24 hours of the incident. The accused allegedly belong to an inter-provincial criminal group identified as the Mansoor Khan gang, also known as the ‘bulletproof gang’ due to their use of protective gear during criminal activities.

Officials said the suspects were apprehended during a raid in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa after an extensive investigation led by the Islamabad police.

Minister of State for Interior Talal Chaudhry, accompanied by Islamabad Inspector General of Police Syed Ali Nasir Rizvi, announced the arrests at a press conference, terming the operation a major success.

Police authorities said 17 teams were constituted under the supervision of DIG Mohammad Jawad Tariq, which carried out 31 raids in provinces, analysed footage from over 250 cameras, examined 180 phone calls and conducted geo-fencing at several locations.

The investigation also involved interrogation of dozens of suspects before the accused were traced and arrested. Police said heavy weapons, mobile phones and other incriminating items were recovered from their possession, adding that two of the suspects are illegal Afghan nationals.

The IGP noted that the case posed a significant challenge due to its inter-provincial nature but was solved within a day through coordinated efforts and the use of modern techniques, including artificial intelligence and digital surveillance.

Authorities said further investigations are under way and the case is likely to be used as a model for training at the National Police Academy.

Published in Dawn, April 2nd, 2026