Suspect held for killing PAF officer in Islamabad

ISLAMABAD: The suspect accused of killing a Pakistan Air Force (PAF) officer after he intervened to save a woman from an alleged abduction attempt was arrested late in the evening on Sunday, police sources said.

According to the sources, the suspect was arrested from the Soan Zone area of Islamabad.

Police said Group Captain Asim Tariq was travelling on Islamabad’s Ninth Avenue when he noticed a motorcyclist allegedly pulling a woman’s hand. He stopped his vehicle and confronted the suspect, allowing the woman to escape to the other side of the road.

The suspect reportedly exchanged heated words with the officer before opening fire. Group Captain Asim sustained critical injuries and later embraced martyrdom, while the suspect fled the scene.

The woman told police that the suspect was her colleague, who had offered to take her to work but allegedly changed the route and attempted to take her elsewhere against her will. She managed to get off the motorcycle after noticing the change in direction.

Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi had sought a report from the Islamabad inspector general of police and directed authorities to ensure the suspect’s early arrest and provide justice to the martyr’s family. Group Captain Asim is survived by his widow, a daughter and a son.