President, PM express grief over martyrdom of Group Captain Asim Tariq

President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif have expressed deep grief and sorrow over the martyrdom of Group Captain Asim Tariq.

In their separate messages on Monday, they prayed for the departed soul and extended their heartfelt condolences and sympathies to the family of the martyred officer.

A Pakistan Air Force (PAF) group captain was shot dead on Sunday after intervening to protect a woman during an alleged abduction attempt in the jurisdiction of Margalla Police Station near Shaheen Chowk, opposite Air University and Bahria University, in Islamabad.

Police identified the deceased as Group Captain Asim.

In his statement, President Zardari said sacrificing one’s life to protect an innocent woman is a shining example of the highest human values and dedicated service to the nation.

In his message, PM Shehbaz said Group Captain Asim set an exceptional example of courage, bravery, and devotion to duty by sacrificing his life to protect the life and dignity of a woman.

He directed the relevant authorities to conduct a thorough and transparent investigation into the incident and ensure that those responsible are punished in accordance with the law.

According to police, the PAF officer was on his way at Ninth Avenue when he noticed a woman getting off a motorcycle while its rider was allegedly pulling her by the hand.

The officer stopped his vehicle and attempted to defuse the situation. The woman then ran to the other side of his vehicle for safety.

Police said the suspect, identified as Saad, began arguing with the officer before opening fire. Group Captain Asim sustained critical injuries and died at the scene. The suspect fled immediately after the shooting but was later arrested during a police raid.

The body was shifted to the Pakistan Air Force Hospital Unit-II for medico-legal formalities.

Following the incident, additional Station House Officer (SHO) Siddique, Duty Officer Naveed and other officials of Margalla Police reached the crime scene, collected evidence and launched an investigation.

Police have taken the woman, identified as Nimra, into custody for questioning, while the gunman and his accomplices managed to flee the scene in a vehicle.

Later, police also arrested the suspected gunman, identified as Saad.

Sources said the arrested suspect has been shifted to an undisclosed location, where he is being interrogated.