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LHC Seeks Report as Punjab CCD Claims 150 Suspects Killed in Six Months
Punjab Police’s Crime Control Department has killed around 150 alleged criminals in six months — many reportedly shot by their “own accomplices.” LHC orders review amid concerns of staged encounters.
MH
by Muhammad Hashir
2025-10-11
LHC Seeks Report as Punjab CCD Claims 150 Suspects Killed in Six Months

The Crime Control Department (CCD) of the Punjab Police has intensified its operations across the province, resulting in the deaths of approximately 150 alleged criminals in various police encounters over the past six months.

According to official reports, most of the slain suspects were accused of serious crimes, including murder, extortion, armed robbery, sexual assault, and child abuse. The police claim that in many cases, the suspects were shot dead by their own “accomplices” during exchanges of fire.

The most recent incident involved the death of Tefi Butt, the main accused in the high-profile Ameer Balaj murder case in Lahore. Butt, who had been arrested in Dubai a day earlier and brought back to Pakistan, was reportedly killed in an alleged police encounter along with his associate Ahsan Shah.

Other major incidents include encounters with members of the Shah Gang of Faisalabad, and three suspects in Nankana Sahib accused of robbery and gang rape. In Raiwind, suspects who had allegedly murdered two brothers in a dispute over banana purchases were also said to have been “shot by their own accomplices” during a police operation.

In Lahore’s Nishtar Town, two dacoits identified as Aweez and Irshad were killed in a CCD operation, while separate encounters in Iqbal Town and Kotwali led to the deaths of suspects Usman Khalid and Qasim.

While police officials have hailed these operations as a major success in restoring public safety and reducing street crime, human rights groups and legal experts have raised concerns about the transparency and legality of the encounters.

The Lahore High Court (LHC) has taken notice of the rising number of police encounters and directed the Inspector General of Punjab Police to submit a detailed report explaining the circumstances of the killings, particularly in cases where the suspects were killed but no police personnel or vehicles sustained any damage.

Police officials maintain that in most incidents, the suspects opened fire first, forcing officers to retaliate. They also claim that in certain cases, suspects “shot themselves” during the confrontation.

Public opinion, however, remains divided — with some residents applauding the crackdown as a much-needed action against dangerous criminals, while others demand judicial oversight to ensure that justice is not compromised in the name of swift law enforcement.
Tagged:

LahoreHighCourt

PunjabPolice

CCD

EncounterKillings
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