Talha Ali, a 16-year-old boy, was shot and killed when police opened fire on a vehicle. Photo: Express
PESHAWAR:
A 16-year-old boy was fatally shot when police opened fire on a vehicle that failed to stop at a checkpoint in the Hayatabad industrial zone, sparking outrage among locals and prompting the victim’s family to protest at a roadblock.
According to police and family testimonies, the incident took place when the teenager, identified as Talha Ali, son of Manzoor Ali, resident of Safaid Dheri, was returning from shopping in Jamrud Industrial Area with his friends Razi Khan (resident of Tehkal) and Fawad (resident of Afghanistan, currently in Academy Town).
The group was traveling in a vehicle when police flagged them down at a checkpoint on Industrial Road. The vehicle failed to stop, prompting police to open fire in pursuit. Talha Ali was hit and died instantly, while the vehicle was damaged.
A passerby, a girl named Iqra, daughter of Regi Lalma resident Akhtar Nawaz, was also injured in the exchange of fire.
The victim’s brother Zulfiqar Ali filed an FIR at the relevant police station, accusing the police of the murder. Police quickly filed a complaint against officer Faisal Rahman, who was arrested in connection with the incident.
Authorities said one of the occupants, Razi Khan, is a wanted suspect in murder and other cases at Tehkal police station. He was arrested on the spot.
Following the shooting, grieving family members and well-wishers took the body to the police station and then dumped it on the Hayatabad road, staging a protest and chanting slogans against the police. Protesters refused to remove the body until a complaint was filed against those responsible for the shooting.
Senior police officials assured protesters that an FIR had been filed, leading to the crowd dispersing after several hours.
Dr Mian Saeed Ahmed of CCPO Peshawar took notice of the incident and appointed SP Cantt Abdullah Ihsan as the investigating officer to probe the circumstances and submit a detailed report.
The incident has once again raised questions about police procedures during vehicle chases and at checkpoints in the provincial capital.
