Four people, including two women, were killed today and a child was injured in Sahiwal during an alleged police encounter. The Counter Terrorism Officials claim that the car was signaled to stop near Sahiwal Toll Plaza but the alleged “terrorists” opened fire on the officials.
As a result, the police had to return fire which killed the four alleged “terrorists.” The police has claimed that the killed were also linked to a terrorist group that was involved in the kidnapping of Yousuf Raza Gilani’s son, and other such crimes.
Four killed in alleged police encounter in #Sahiwal https://t.co/i00B6z0zAj
— ARY News (@ARYNEWSOFFICIAL) January 19, 2019
On the other hand, the version of events narrated by the eyewitnesses and the children present in the car are completely different.
According to news channel reports, the child Muneeba, who was also there in the car when the incident took place, said that the people killed by the police were her parents. Another child, Omair Khalil, also stated that one of the killed people was his father. He also said that his father offered money to the police in return for not shooting at their car but they killed him and took the children away.
Counter Terrorism Deptt (CTD) opens fire on a car in Sahiwal and kills 4 people while 3 kids miraculously survive. CTD claims those killed were kidnappers. Kids say they were their parents & relatives. Govt pls clarify asap @UsmanAKBuzdar #Punjabpolice #sahiwal #IGpleaseanswer pic.twitter.com/m5COuIpYto
— Fahd Husain (@Fahdhusain) January 19, 2019
The children also claimed that they were on their way to attend a relative’s wedding ceremony in Burewala.
Eyewitnesses also relayed that the car was apparently shot at from behind and there were no weapons recovered from the car. No one fired any shot from the car on the police, either, as per witnesses.
As this news spread, many people took to social media to share the sad and heart-wrenching incident with others and express their shock and disappointment.
Some people expressed empathy for the children.
Just look at their faces
I'm crying 😢#Sahiwal pic.twitter.com/mpME1FM5Hz— That Paki Lad🇵🇰 (@aizaz_virk) January 19, 2019
They don’t seem to be terrorists… heart wrenching & sad #Sahiwal pic.twitter.com/xILArP3mjl
— Naeem Sandhu (@Tonyformanite) January 19, 2019
Others are demanding that the policemen be hanged
Just hang those POLICEMEN.
Just Hang….
Just Hang…. #Sahiwal pic.twitter.com/GX3GnyCcgh— AbdulRazzaq Malik (@abdulzhere) January 19, 2019
Some people are expressing how cruel it was to kill their parents in front of their eyes
Family of these innocents killed in front of them by #CTD in #Sahiwal. pic.twitter.com/OaxbLkdwTT
— Malik Zubair Awan (@ZubairSabirPTI) January 19, 2019
Extra judicial killing of whole family in front of their kids in Sahiwal.
I am speechless.😓
It should be investigated.#Sahiwal#SahiwalFiring pic.twitter.com/2N3KkDbfSe— ALI HYDER SHAH (@alihyders) January 19, 2019
Some are suggesting that the claims are fishy and need to be investigated properly
Police could’ve arrested them or if they were running, they should’ve fired on tires. But firing at stopped car is totally Insane! Is this #NayaPakistan? Where are #PoliceReforms? What about their SOPs?
We demand quick and strict action against these officers!!#Sahiwal https://t.co/zbdEW6qGvO— Abdullah (@SaidByAbdullah) January 19, 2019
#ExtraJudicialkilling of #Suspects in front of their kids raises many questions about the credibility of CTD. #JudicialIquiry should be initiated immediately to unveil the real facts . #PunjabGovt , Punjab #Police , #CTD should clear confusion as soon as possible
#Sahiwal pic.twitter.com/5SyR8HgplU— Asad Kharal (@AsadKharal) January 19, 2019
People even questioned why the alleged terrorist would be carrying their CNIC on a mission
Why would an abductor carry his CNIC with him to a mission? #Sahiwal pic.twitter.com/xtT9SlbYf1
— Hassan Nasir (@HassanNasir_) January 19, 2019
Moreover, people are questioning Naya Pakistan
Shame on #PunjabPolice
Shame on CTD
Shame on IG Punjab another disaster like Asad Umer & few others
Shame on @GOPunjabPK
Shame on #Tabdeeli@UsmanAKBuzdar r u thr?
Afsos, IK used to shout on worst policing but he is totally failed in reforming it. Yes totally Failed!!!#Sahiwal pic.twitter.com/rlI0xOxJaW— Ameer Abbas (@ameerabbas84) January 19, 2019
People are calling for the resignation of all those responsible
This brutal face of Naya Pakistan is extremely shameful and totally unacceptable! Punjab forces was never out of control like this before, CM Punjab and all responsible must resign immediately!
#Sahiwal pic.twitter.com/C3BkcG5ItS
— صدیقی صاحب🔥 (@Ayyaansiddiqui1) January 19, 2019
This brutal face of Naya Pakistan is extremely shameful and totally unacceptable! Punjab forces was never out of control like this before, CM Punjab and all responsible must resign immediately!
#Sahiwal
@Matiullahjan919 @fkkundi @SamiKhanKp @lubna_aisha @AqrabaFatima pic.twitter.com/Dv4a658LiG— Hamza Shams64🇱🇾 (@HShams64) January 19, 2019
Some were reminded of the unfortunate demise of Amal
A few months back, a 10 year old girl Amal died due to a shot fired by Police and now this incident in #Sahiwal ? How long will it take to fix our Police system? pic.twitter.com/GZTDLG6Ub5
— Mohammad Saad मोहम्मद साद (@hafizsaadriaz) January 19, 2019
Jibran Nasir took notice of the incident and called on the government to act responsibly
Have we learnt anything from #NaqeebMehsud, #Intezar, #Maqsood and #AmalUmer encounter case? Now #Sahiwal incident. Rather than jumping to defend Police action Govt should act responsibly and focus on transparent investigation with exemplary punishment for those responsible.
— M. Jibran Nasir (@MJibranNasir) January 19, 2019
People also pointed out how the children need help after the incident
Kids affected from the #Sahiwal killing deserve post traumatic help. They should be handled by professionals familiar with the sensitivity of mental health after watching your family being shot down. and what are they getting? fucking wolves with mics & cameras. what is this mulk
— 🍁🌼🍁 (@Fay_Alif) January 19, 2019
People are also pissed over how the matter is being handled by the media.
What kanjarkhana of a country!
Just saw 3 kids in shock, clothes soaked in their parents' blood, being interviewed by a soulless journalist who actually pans his camera towards the child on gurney, with gunshot wound on his back and asks him questions.Fuck, I'm done!#Sahiwal
— Star Stuff (@Spectrophobe) January 19, 2019
Some feel that the damage has been done
Stop this Bullshit, No JIT, PM Action, afsos or Muzamat will bring back the parents of the innocent kids killed for no reason. The responsible people must resign if they can’t handle it.
This is disgusting. #Sahiwal— Ihtisham ul Haq (@iihtishamm) January 19, 2019
Prime Minister Imran Khan has taken note of the incident and has summoned a report. This is, no doubt, a really shocking and devastating incident. What do you think about this? Let us know below.
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