Police arrest man accused of killing LESCO worker

LAHORE: Police on Monday arrested a man accused of killing a LESCO worker and injuring two others in a shout-out in Lahore's Baghbanpura area earlier on Monday.

Asif alias Achhi Malang, accused of illegally using a government office in Baghbanpura as his residence, opened fire when LESCO workers asked him to vacate the premises.

One LESCO worker, identified as Mohammad Mansha, was killed on the spot while two others were injured.

Asif opened fire once again when a contingent of policemen reached the area.

The shootout carried on for almost two hours, creating panic in the neighbourhood, before police arrested the accused in a wounded state.

Asif has previously spent jail time in a murder case.

Residents of Baghbanpura locality protested following the incident, throwing Asif's belongings out of the LESCO office and setting them on fire.

The protestors demanded that the accused be brought to justice.

Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif has ordered the DIG Operations of Punjab police to submit a report on the incident.

Minister for Water and Power Khawaja Asif also took notice of the incident. Expressing his sympathies with the relatives of the deceased, the minister announced Rs2.5 million as compensation for the victim's family.

A spokesman for LESCO said that the family would continue receiving salary from the utility company and will be allowed to reside in their government residence until the date of retirement of the deceased.