ATC hands down seven life sentences to killer of ANF official, two policemen

Rawalpindi : The Special Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) in Rawalpindi has sentenced a man involved in the brutal killing of an Anti-Narcotics Force (ANF) official and two policemen to seven life imprisonments, an additional five years in jail, and a fine of Rs 200,000. The court has also ordered the confiscation of all properties owned by the convict.

In addition, the court directed the convict to pay Rs 1 million in compensation to the heirs of each of the three victims. Failure to pay the fine will result in an additional six months of imprisonment for each unpaid compensation.

The case stems from a tragic incident that occurred on June 12 last year. According to the FIR lodged by Inspector Mamoon Al-Rashid, Dinah police attempted to stop a suspicious Toyota XLI car carrying five individuals at a roadblock. The suspects ignored police signals and sped away, prompting a chase. When stopped at Domeli Bridge, the occupants opened fire on law enforcement officers.

The attack resulted in the deaths of ANF Lance Naik Mazhar Hussain, Police Head Constable Gulzar, and Constable Zeeshan. One of the accused, Syed Abid Ali Shah, was later apprehended.

Following a detailed trial, the court found Shah guilty and sentenced him as follows, three life sentences under Section 302-B of the Pakistan Penal Code (PPC) for the murders, three life sentences under Section 7(a) of the Anti-Terrorism Act (ATA), one life sentence under Section 7(h) of the ATA, two years of imprisonment under Section 353 of the PPC (assault or criminal force to deter a public servant from discharge of duty) and compensation of Rs 1 million each to the families of the three victims under Section 544-A of the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC).

In default of the compensation payment, Shah will have to serve an additional six months per unpaid amount. All sentences are to run concurrently as per the court's order.

The court also granted the benefit of Section 382-B of the CrPC, which means the time already spent in detention will be deducted from the total sentence.