Muhammad Noman, the main accused in the Laiba Ijaz case, died after gunmen fired on the police team escorting him in Islamabad, police said. He had been wounded in the firing, which police described as an apparent attempt to free him from custody. The officers were not hurt, according to police.
What police said about the attack
According to police, Noman was in custody and was being taken for recovery after he was identified within the limits of Ramna police station. In police usage, recovery means moving an accused person to a location connected with the investigation, such as a place where stolen items or evidence may be found. Two motorcycles carrying four men came up, and the riders opened fire on the team.
The officers were protected by bulletproof jackets and other precautions, police said. Police have started an operation to catch the attackers and anyone who helped them.
Fraud allegations against Noman
Noman was named as the main accused in the Laiba Ijaz case. Laiba Ijaz, a gold medallist from IIUI, the International Islamic University in Islamabad, died by suicide. She had allegedly been cheated out of Rs9 million with a promise of study in the United States.
According to sources, a separate matter registered in Mansehra also names Noman. The sources said he and his associates were accused of taking Rs8.5 million from one household by promising jobs in government to six children. Checks later showed the letters were forged.
The family then filed a fraud case against Noman, and he reportedly dropped out of sight. Sources said a court has since labelled him a proclaimed offender, meaning a person formally declared wanted by a court who has not appeared before it.
What happens next
Police are still pursuing the attackers, and no arrests in the attack have been reported so far. The fraud allegations against Noman are unproven, and he is described as the main accused rather than a convicted person.
Aasan alfaaz mein
Laiba Ijaz case ke main mulzim Muhammad Noman ko police team par hamle mein zakhmi hone ke baad maut ho gayi, police ne yeh bataya. Police ke mutabiq hamla karne walon ki talash jari hai aur ab tak kisi giraftari ki khabar nahi aayi. Mansehra mein naukri dilane ke jhoothe wadon ke alag case bhi samne aaye hain. Naukri ya bahir mulk parhai ke liye paisay dene se pehle letter aur wada karne wale ki tasdeeq zaroor karein.
