PUNJAB: A bank manager was gunned down by a security guard allegedly over blasphemy allegations in the Khushab area of Punjab on Wednesday.
According to sources, a security guard opened fire at the manager, Malik Imran Hanif of the National Bank of Pakistan branch in Quaidabad tehsil of Khushab. As a result, he sustained severe bullet injuries.
The injured was shifted to a nearby hospital for treatment. However, due to his critical injuries, he was taken to Lahore where he succumbed to his injuries at the Services Hospital.
A police source informed that it would be premature to comment on the motive behind the murder, but confirmed that the security guard, who was arrested after the incident, had claimed to have killed Hanif over blasphemy.
In a video of the suspect that was shared on social media, the guard could be heard saying that the deceased manager had “insulted the prophet”.
Quoting initial reports the police official said the security guard and the manager had been quarreling for some time. The guard has reportedly fired a few months ago; he was subsequently rehired and had an argument with Hanif a few days ago, the officer added.
No first information report (FIR) of the incident has been registered as yet. Police said they would lodge the FIR upon receiving a complaint from the deceased’s family.
Videos shared on Twitter showed the guard being greeted by a crowd of supporters after killing the manager. The security guard and the mob then raised slogans as they walked on the street.
The killer was then joined by the leaders of a religious group, all of whom raised slogans and addressed supporters from the rooftop of the Quaidabad Police Station. Police personnel could be seen standing nearby recording videos.
Let's see how many Ulema will openly condemn this. https://t.co/39lDNVTPwq
— undone (@just_kidding01) November 4, 2020
Earlier, a US citizen of Pakistani origin on trial over blasphemy allegations in Peshawar was shot dead in a courtroom by a teenager who told bystanders he killed him for insulting the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).
