Forensic lab claims sent weapons weren’t even used in Sahiwal ‘encounter’

LAHORE: It has been reported that the weapons sent to Punjab Forensic Science Agency (PFSA) for forensic testing were not even the ones used the Sahiwal ‘encounter’.

Four people, including three members of a family, were killed in an alleged encounter in Sahiwal on January 19. Counter Terrorism Department personnel had said they had killed a local commander of Islamic State or Daesh and three others in the operation. However, eyewitnesses and three children, whose parents were killed, disputed the claim.

The incident sparked a national outcry and prompted the PM to order an investigation into the killings.

Reports quoting lab officials claim that the machine gun and pistol sent to the lab were not the ones used in the CTD killings. They allege that the four bullets that hit the police van were actually from police weapons. Moreover, the police van was driven away from the crime scene when the incident happen.

They add that the Zeeshan’s car was shot at when it was in motion and even after it had stopped. It was reportedly hit at a point-blank range (1 ft).

More than 100 bullet casings, four submachine guns (SMGs), and two 9mm pistols had been sent to the PFSA for forensic testing. However, the casings turned out not to have been used during the incident.