Cop arrested in connection with teenager’s killing during Friday shootout in Sohrab Goth

A policeman was arrested on Saturday following the registration of a murder case against four cops over Friday’s shootout in the Sohrab Goth area that claimed the life of a teenager.

Seventeen-year-old Umeedullah, son of Sitool Khan, was standing at a milk shop near Gabol Chowk during Sehri time on Friday when he was fatally hit by a bullet during an alleged encounter between police and robbers.

Although police initially claimed that the teenager was shot by the robbers, the victim’s family claimed that a bullet fired by cops resulted in his death. The family also refused to busy the victim demanding that action be taken against the cops responsible for his death.

According to police, the murder case was filed on Saturday at the Sohrab Goth police station under on the complaint of the victim’s relative. CCTV footage of the incident has also surfaced showing the teenager standing at a milk shop when a police mobile passed by and gunfire started, fatally wounding him on the spot.

Police said the tragic incident occurred on the morning of March 28, and after an investigation, one of the policemen involved in the shooting had been taken into custody. Further investigation are under way.

The incident had occurred near the Insaf General Hospital in Sohrab Goth. The critically injured teenager was rushed to a nearby hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries. His body was later shifted to Abbasi Shaheed Hospital for medico-legal formalities.

Umeedullah was a resident of Jamali Goth, and worked as a mechanic near the Punjab Bus Stand on the Super Highway.

The Sohrab Goth police initially stated that the incident occurred at around 4:45am on Friday when police were chasing robbers. A shootout ensued between the police and the suspects, during which the bystander teenager was fatally shot.

CCTV footage of the incident showed that at 4:39am, Umaid arrived at the milk shop and was standing at the counter. A few minutes later, he was shot from behind and collapsed. Footage at 4:48am showed a police mobile chasing a speeding motorcycle. Eyewitnesses confirmed that a police mobile was present at the scene when the gunfire occurred.

The deceased teenager’s relatives revealed that his mother was hospitalised at a private facility near Gabol Chowk for the past three days. He was at the milk shop to buy bread and milk for Sehri when the fatal shot hit him.

The family insisted that only the police had heavy weapons at the time and they fired the bullet that killed the victim.

Reacting to Umeedullah’s death, the District East police said they shared the grief of the bereaved family. They added that they were in contact with the family and were carrying out the legal proceedings as per the regulations.