A police constable fatally shot a blasphemy suspect inside the lockup of the Cantt Police Station in Quetta on Thursday. Identified as Abdul Ali alias Lala, the suspect had been arrested the previous day on blasphemy charges.
Ali, a resident of Kharotabad on the outskirts of Quetta, was apprehended following the viral circulation of a video in which he allegedly made derogatory remarks concerning Khatm-i-Nabuwwat (finality of prophethood) and the Holy Prophet (PBUH). His detention led to a case being registered against him.
Subsequently, an angry mob from religious parties, including Tehreek-i-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP), gathered outside the Kharotabad Police Station, demanding custody of Ali. The mob pelted stones and launched grenade attacks on the station.
For his safety, police officials transferred Ali to the Cantt Police Station. However, Saad Khan Sarhadi, a constable from the Kharotabad station, followed Ali to Cantt, engaged in a brief conversation with other officers, and then shot Ali in the lockup using his pistol.
“The constable suddenly opened fire on the suspect,” stated Inspector General Police in Balochistan, Moazzam Jah Ansari. Ali died instantly from multiple gunshot wounds, confirmed another officer.
Following the shooting, the constable was arrested, and an investigation was launched. This incident marks the first time in Quetta that a police officer has killed a suspect facing blasphemy charges while in custody.
