Islamabad police arrested Saad Abbasi within nine hours of the fatal shooting of Pakistan Air Force (PAF) Group Captain Asim Tariq. According to Islamabad Inspector General (IG) Ali Nasir Rizvi, the suspect allegedly opened fire after Tariq intervened to stop the man from forcefully pulling a woman toward a motorcycle at 9th Avenue.
How did the shooting occur?
The incident began when Group Captain Tariq, who was traveling toward Rawalpindi for an official assignment, witnessed an argument between a man and a woman. IG Rizvi stated that the officer saw the man, identified as Saad Abbasi, attempting to forcefully take the woman toward his bike.
Tariq reportedly took a U-turn, parked his vehicle next to the suspect, and instructed the man to stay away from the woman. According to the IG, Abbasi then moved his motorcycle forward, returned to the car, and fired a pistol. The shot struck the officer, resulting in his death at the scene.
Who were the individuals involved?
The victim, Group Captain Asim Tariq, was a PAF officer whom IG Rizvi described as a “true patriot and citizen of Pakistan.” The woman, Nimrah, was a representative for a cosmetics company who had worked at the G-6 outlet for less than 10 days.
The suspect, Saad Abbasi, represented a brand of frozen food items. Investigations revealed that Abbasi had previously given Nimrah rides to her workplace on two other occasions. The IG noted that Abbasi had also been involved in a previous incident in Mianwali involving another woman, which was reportedly settled privately by families rather than through police intervention.
How did police track the suspect?
Tracing the suspect was described by the police chief as a “huge challenge” because the woman did not know the suspect’s residential address. To locate Abbasi, authorities constituted 11 teams, including digital surveillance and Safe City camera units, involving over 100 officers.
Police monitored 275 Safe City cameras and a number of private cameras, alongside analyzing 137 call detail records (CDRs). The IG reported that Abbasi attempted to evade capture by changing his shirt, switching off his phone, and attempting to flee via bus services. Following 13 raids in Islamabad and operations in Lahore and Dera Ismail Khan, the suspect was apprehended. Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi supervised the operation.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Why did the officer intervene?
According to IG Rizvi, the officer intervened after witnessing a man forcefully pulling a woman toward a motorcycle. -
How long did the police operation take?
The suspect was arrested within nine hours of the incident. -
Where were the police raids conducted?
Raids were carried out in Islamabad, Lahore, and Dera Ismail Khan.
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