Suspect in PAF officer’s killing sent on 14-day judicial remand

ISLAMABAD: An anti-terrorism court on Monday sent the suspect arrested in the killing of Pakistan Air Force (PAF) Group Captain Asim Tariq to jail on a 14-day judicial remand for an identification parade.

The suspect, Saad Abbasi, was produced before Anti-Terrorism Court Judge Abual Hasnat Muhammad Zulqarnain, who approved the investigating officer’s request for judicial remand to facilitate identification parade proceedings.

According to the court order, the investigating officer sought 14 days’ judicial custody, arguing that an identification parade was essential to determine the suspect’s involvement in the case.

The court observed that, based on the available record, a “heinous offence” had been attributed to the suspect in which a member of the armed forces lost his life.

The court ordered jail authorities to facilitate the identification parade and directed them to conceal the suspect’s identity until the process was completed.

The judge directed police to produce the suspect before the court again on July 20 and submit a report after completion of the identification parade.

The case was adjourned until July 20.

The latest court proceedings come a day after police arrested 20-year-old Saad Abbasi in connection with the fatal shooting of Group Captain Asim Tariq and released CCTV footage tracing his movements after the incident.

According to police, the footage showed the suspect leaving Islamabad for Lahore from the Faizabad bus terminal after the shooting.

Additional CCTV footage allegedly showed him riding a motorcycle with the woman involved in the incident before changing his clothes at a nearby shop.

Police said Abbasi, a resident of Band Khanna Road in Islamabad’s Khanna police station area, had completed matriculation and previously worked as a salesman at an electronics store.

Investigators said the incident began when the suspect allegedly tried to force a woman to accompany him on his motorcycle. After she resisted, an altercation broke out.

Police said Group Captain Asim Tariq stopped after noticing the scuffle and intervened to help the woman.

The suspect allegedly opened fire on the officer while he was seated in his vehicle before fleeing the scene. The PAF officer later died of his injuries.

A police search operation led to the suspect’s arrest.

Earlier, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and President Asif Ali Zardari paid tribute to the slain officer, describing his actions as an example of courage and selflessness.

They offered condolences to his family and directed authorities to ensure a transparent investigation and bring those responsible to justice.

Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi had also sought a report on the incident and directed police to expedite the investigation.

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