In a shocking incident, a bank manager was shot dead by its security guard allegedly over blasphemy allegations in Punjab’s Khushab district. The killer was identified as Ahmed Nawaz, the security guard and a retired Army person.
Malik Imran Hanif, the manager of the National Bank of Pakistan branch in Quaidabad tehsil of Khushab, was rushed to a local hospital after he was shot by the guard from a rifle. Due to his critical injuries, he was taken to Lahore where he succumbed to his injuries at the Services Hospital.
The deceased’s family claimed that it was a “cold-blooded murder” by the accused over a personal grudge, stating that the guard took the cover of blasphemy to save himself.
According to senior police officer Tariq Wilayat, Nawaz opened fire at Hanif after he committed blasphemy. “This claim cannot be verified at this stage. Police are probing the matter from all the aspects including the statement of the deceased’s family that Nawaz killed him to settle a personal grudge against him,” the officer said.
Hanif’s family said that Nawaz was ousted a few months ago but he was later reinstated. He nursed a grudge against Hanif over his sacking and both had a heated argument recently.
Muhammad Razzak, another guard of the bank, who witnessed the incident told the police that after completing his nightshift, he was changing his uniform when he heard the gunshots.
As soon as he heard the sound, he rushed towards the bank office where he found Hanif in a pool of blood and Nawaz fleeing.
In a video that went viral on social media, Nawaz could be heard saying he killed the bank manager because he had committed blasphemy.
Nawaz received praises from a crowd of supporters who also raised religious slogans and roamed in the city streets. Later, he surrendered himself before the police.
Soon after the incident, Leaders of some religious groups were seen addressing the mob from the police station where he surrendered himself. Police officials could not take any immediate action against the accused. No case was registered immediately.
