An alleged 24-year-old serial killer involved in killing of 14 homeless people was caught red-handed by a watchman and a local resident near Azam Market in the wee hours of Tuesday and was later handed over to the police. The police claimed that the accused has confessed to the killing of 14 persons by crushing their heads with a heavy stone.
According to a detail, around 3.45 am Abdul Wakil Khan, a watchman, was patrolling the streets of Kasira Bazar in Rang Mahal when he heard commotion nearby. He rushed to the spot where he found the alleged serial killer making an escape after hitting Ishtiqa alias Bala Sain, a mental patient sleeping outside a shop, on the head with a heavy stone. The victim was severely injured.
In the initial attempt Wakil failed to apprehend the killer, but later with the help of a local resident, Ahsan Khan, he managed to capture the killer, but only after a good chase. Later, the accused was handed over to the Rang Mahal police Station. The victim was rushed to Mayo Hospital where his condition was stated to be critical.
The news of the alleged serial killer capture spread like fire in the area and the people gathered at the spot to see the killer. On hearing the news, the senior police officials also rushed to the police station.
At the police station, the alleged killer was interrogated and after an hour he was taken to some unknown place in a white car, who was accompanied by SSP Lahore Amir Zulfiqar and SP City Dr Usman. Later, it was known that he was taken to the CIA Centre under a heavy security for further grilling.
The police later disclosed the name of the accused as Amir Qayyum and belonged from Lahore. They claimed that he has confessed to the crime.
It may be recalled that the accused has allegedly killed 14 homeless persons by crushing their heads with a heavy stone while they were sleeping on footpaths and green belts.