Gujranwala, February 22, 2026: A man accused of carrying out a gruesome triple murder was arrested in a dramatic operation aboard a moving train — only to be killed two days later in what police say was firing by his own accomplices during a weapons recovery operation in Punjab’s Gujranwala district.
Police identified the suspect as Haroon, who had been taken into custody on physical remand in connection with the alleged murder of a woman, her two young children, and a 13-year-old boy. The victims included Malaika Mohsin and her children — four-year-old Ahmed and eight-month-old Mabra. The case shocked the local community due to the brutality of the crime. According to investigators, the accused allegedly mutilated the woman in order to steal her earrings.
Gujranwala’s City Police Officer, Dr. Ghiyas Gul Khan, said the suspect was being taken on Monday evening to recover the alleged murder weapon when unidentified accomplices opened fire. During the exchange, Haroon was fatally shot. Police say further investigations are underway.
The incident has drawn wider attention as similar cases have surfaced in Punjab in recent months, where suspects involved in serious crimes have died in custody under circumstances described by police as attacks by their own associates. On the same day, the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan called for a high-level judicial inquiry into what it termed “mysterious deaths” of detainees in the province.
Dramatic Arrest on the Tezgam Express
The suspect’s arrest was equally dramatic. On Sunday morning, Haroon boarded the Tezgam Express after it stopped in Gujranwala while en route from Peshawar to Karachi.
When the train reached Multan, a new railway police team came on duty. As the train later approached Sadiqabad, the officers received an urgent call from the control room informing them that a dangerous murder suspect was believed to be traveling on board.
According to SSP Railway Sukkur Division Rana Arsalan, police officers were sent the suspect’s photograph and identity details via WhatsApp. They were warned that he was allegedly involved in multiple murders and could be armed, and were instructed to ensure passenger safety at all costs.
The officers initially tried to identify him by matching passengers with the photograph, moving through each carriage. However, they were unable to locate anyone who matched the image. It was later discovered that the suspect had recently shaved his head, significantly changing his appearance from the photo, in which he had thick hair.
Realizing this, the officers began systematically checking the identification cards of all passengers — a process that continued for nearly an hour and a half. To avoid alarming travelers, they described it as routine checking. The train driver was also asked to reduce speed while the operation was underway.
Eventually, through careful verification of identification cards, the suspect was identified. When he realized he had been recognized, police say he attempted to create a disturbance. With the assistance of a few passengers, the two constables managed to restrain him without causing harm to anyone else.
Soon after, the train arrived at Rohri railway station, where a heavy police contingent was already present. The suspect was taken into custody and later handed over to Gujranwala police.
SSP Rana Arsalan praised the two railway constables, Shahzad Irfan and Muhammad Bilal, calling them the “real heroes” of the operation for their professionalism, calmness, and quick thinking.
Questions Surround Custodial Death
While police maintain that the suspect was killed during firing by his accomplices, rights groups have expressed concern. The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan has demanded an independent judicial investigation to determine the exact circumstances of the incident.
The case has sparked national debate — not only because of the horrifying nature of the alleged crime, but also due to the recurring pattern of suspects dying in custody under controversial circumstances.
As investigations continue, unanswered questions remain about both the brutal killings and the events that led to the suspect’s death — turning an already tragic case into a matter of broader public concern.
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