PAF officer martyred during bid to rescue woman from alleged abductor

ISLAMABAD: A Pakistan Air Force (PAF) officer was martyred after intervening to save a woman from an alleged abduction attempt on Islamabad’s Ninth Avenue, police said on Sunday.

According to police, Group Captain Asim Tariq was travelling through the area when he noticed a motorcyclist allegedly pulling a woman’s hand.

He stopped his vehicle and approached the suspect, allowing the woman to run to the other side of the road.

Police said that the suspect then exchanged hot words with the officer before opening fire on him.

Group Captain Asim sustained critical injuries and later succumbed to wounds. The suspect fled the scene.

The woman told police that the suspect was her colleague, who had offered to take her to work. However, she alleged that he changed the route and attempted to take her elsewhere against her will.

According to the sources, the woman got off the motorcycle after noticing that the rider had changed direction.

The PAF, who had been observing the entire incident, pulled his car alongside and stopped. At that point, the suspect opened fire, fatally shooting the officer.

Law enforcement agencies have launched a search operation to arrest the suspect.

Group Captain Asim is survived by his widow, a daughter and a son.

Meanwhile, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi expressed grief over the officer’s martyrdom and extended condolences to his family.

The minister sought a report from the Islamabad inspector general of police and directed authorities to ensure the suspect’s early arrest.

He also instructed police to ensure that the martyr’s family is provided justice without delay.