A Pakistan Army Lieutenant has been identified as the individual who ran over two people at D-Chowk in Islamabad late at night on Monday and has been handed over to the military police for legal proceedings.
According to a report by Dawn newspaper, the incident happened around 3 a.m. on May 19-20. A speeding vehicle crashed into a protest camp on Jinnah Avenue, where demonstrators were protesting against Israeli aggression in Gaza. The crash resulted in four injuries, including a police inspector, and two fatalities.
A case was registered against the driver at Kohsar police station under sections 322, 337-G, 427, and 279 of the Pakistan Penal Code.
Police spokesperson Taqi Jawad confirmed that the driver is an army Lieutenant and the son of a Brigadier. He has been handed over to the military police for further legal action. Additionally, a senior military officer has resigned following the incident.
The vehicle involved was registered in the name of the driver’s father. After the driver’s arrest, his father arrived at the police station and attempted to influence the police for his son’s release. However, the intervention of members of parliament and other military departments ensured the Lieutenant was taken into custody.
What is the Jinnah Avenue Incident?
The incident took place while participants of the “Save Gaza” protest were sleeping on a section of Jinnah Avenue between Express Chowk and Old Parade Ground. The street lights were off at the time. At around 2:45 a.m., a speeding car ran over five people and then drove towards Ayub Chowk via Ataturk Avenue. A patrolling team stopped the vehicle, arrested the driver, and transferred him to the police station.
The accident claimed the lives of Muhammad Roman Sajid and an unidentified person, both aged between 40 and 45. Muhammad Talha Ilyas, Hammad Hassan, Faisal Hayat, and Inspector Ejaz Ahmed sustained injuries.
Two days later, on May 22, the District Intelligence Committee expressed concerns about the “Save Gaza” protest near D-Chowk despite the enforcement of Section 144 in the city. The meeting aimed to review the security situation and was attended by police and administrative officers.
