"Military Police Detains Army Officer Following Fatal Shooting of 2 Pro-Palestine Protesters"
A driver who tragically struck two individuals on Jinnah Avenue, falling under the jurisdiction of the Kohsar police station on Monday, has been handed over to the Military Police for legal proceedings. The driver, identified as a lieutenant in the Pakistan Army, was involved in the incident.
The collision also resulted in injuries to four others, including a police inspector, as the vehicle plowed through participants of a protest near the Red Zone in solidarity with Gaza. Consequently, the Kohsar police station filed a case against the driver under sections 322, 337-G, 427, and 279 of the Pakistan Penal Code.
Taqi Jawad, a police spokesperson, revealed that the driver, who is the son of a brigadier, was transferred to the Military Police for further legal actions. Following the incident, the senior army officer resigned from his position.
The car involved in the accident was registered under the driver’s father’s name. Following the arrest, the father attempted to influence the police for his son’s release. However, upon notification to the Military Police and other army departments, they took custody of the lieutenant.
Details of the Accident:
During the incident, participants of the “Save Gaza” protest were resting on a section of Jinnah Avenue between Express Chowk and the old Parade Ground, with the streetlights turned off. Around 2:45 am, a speeding car struck five participants and collided with a police barricade, injuring an on-duty inspector.
The driver attempted to flee towards Ayub Chowk via Attaturk Avenue but was intercepted by a patrolling team alerted by police on special duty for the protest. Subsequently, he was arrested.
The victims of the tragedy included Mohammad Roman Sajid and an unidentified man aged between 40 and 45, who lost their lives on the spot. Mohammad Talha Ilyas, Hamad Hassan, Faisal Hayat, and Inspector Ijaz Ahmed sustained injuries.
Two days later, on May 22, the district intelligence committee expressed concerns over the “Save Gaza” protest near D-Chowk despite Section 144 being in effect, prohibiting gatherings. The meeting, attended by police and administration officials, reviewed the overall security situation in the city.
