FIR registered against 3 in judge, lawyer murder case

NOWSHERA: The police on Wednesday registered a first information report (FIR) against three suspects under charges of murder, attempted murder and damage to government property in the assassination case of the senior civil judge and a lawyer.

A tragic incident had occurred near Rashakai on the motorway a day earlier, where Senior Civil Judge Muhammad Hayat and prominent lawyer Khalid Khan Advocate were killed in an attack.

According to the FIR, the case was filed by Asad Ali, the brother of the deceased Khalid Khan, at the Risalpur Police Station. Asad Ali, a resident of Mlanda Rae in Mardan, stated that he was traveling with his brother and Judge Muhammad Hayat in a government vehicle from Mardan to Peshawar via the motorway. During the journey, he said, an unidentified car began following them.

The vehicle was reportedly driven by Sher Akbar, accompanied by two other suspects: Qaiser Wali and Ghani Khan. Suddenly, he said, the attackers opened indiscriminate fire on the vehicle. As a result, both Judge Muhammad Hayat and Advocate Khalid Khan died on the spot, while Asad Ali miraculously survived.

The case was registered against Sher Akbar Khan, resident of Buner; Qaiser Wali, Buner, and Ghani Khan from Rustam, Mardan.Officials said the law-enforcement agencies have launched raids in Buner and Rustam areas in an effort to arrest the culprits. DPO Abdul Rashid Khan said that investigations were ongoing, and the suspects would soon be brought to justice.

Meanwhile, the funeral prayers for Advocate Khalid Khan were held in Mardan, while those of Judge Muhammad Hayat were conducted in his native town of Kalam, Swat. The funerals were attended by a large number of lawyers, court officials, relatives and local citizens.