Gunmen kill businessman in Islamabad farmhouse, raising alarm over security

ISLAMABAD: A businessman was shot dead by armed assailants at his farmhouse in Islamabad, police said on Monday, in an attack that has raised fresh concerns about security in the federal capital.

The victim, identified as Aamir Awan, owner of Toyota Motors, was killed inside his bedroom after a group of armed men entered his residence in the Shehzad Town police jurisdiction.

According to police and initial investigation, around five armed men, carrying automatic weapons, stormed the farmhouse and opened fire, killing Awan on the spot.

Closed-circuit television (CCTV) footage showing the suspects entering the premises has surfaced, providing investigators with key leads.

Police said no arrests had been made so far and an investigation was under way.

FIR details

A case has been registered at the Shehzad Town Police Station on the complaint of the victim’s wife, who provided details of the incident in her statement.

According to the First Information Report (FIR), the complainant said that she, her husband and their children were asleep in their room when she woke up around 2:45am after hearing noise.

She said that three armed men had entered the room and were grappling with her husband, while two others were positioned near a window.

When she raised an alarm, the attackers opened fire with the intention to kill, she said, adding that her husband was shot in the abdomen and fell after being critically injured.

The suspects later fled through the window, the FIR stated quoting the complainant.

The complainant also said the armed men snatched weapons, mobile phones and cash from a security guard, while another guard was locked inside a room.

She said that the guards would be able to identify the suspects if brought before them.

Security concerns

The killing has sparked concern over security arrangements in Islamabad, particularly as it comes at a time when foreign ministers from multiple countries are present in the capital and heightened security measures, including road closures, are in place.

Residents have questioned how heavily armed attackers were able to breach security and carry out the assault in what is considered a relatively high-security area.

Police officials said further investigation was under way and efforts were ongoing to trace and arrest the suspects.