Three women, including a mother and her nine-year-old daughter, were killed when armed men opened fire at a settlement in Faisalabad.
Another young girl also suffered serious injuries during the attack, which took place on Thursday in the Samanabad locality.
The area falls within the jurisdiction of the Airport Police Station, where gypsy families had established homes near a railway track.
According to initial reports, around 10 people, including Rashid and Naeem, entered the settlement and opened fire.
The attack killed Asima, her nine-year-old daughter Muskan, and their relative Zubaida at the scene.
Asima’s other daughter, three-year-old Zainab, also sustained serious injuries during the shooting and was taken to hospital.
The attackers reportedly fled the area after carrying out the shooting, while police shifted the bodies and injured girl.
Mother and Daughter Among Three Victims
The victims were identified as Asima, her daughter Muskan and their relative Zubaida following the attack.
Muskan was nine years old, while Asima’s other daughter, three-year-old Zainab, survived the shooting with serious injuries.
The injured child was shifted to a hospital for treatment, along with the bodies of those killed.
The incident has raised concerns after an armed group reportedly entered the settlement and targeted residents.
Police authorities have now begun investigating the circumstances surrounding the killings and the identities of those involved.
Punjab Police Chief Takes Notice
Inspector General of Police Punjab Rao Abdul Kareem took notice of the incident and sought a report from the Regional Police Officer.
The IGP also directed City Police Officer Tanveer Hussain to ensure the immediate arrest of those responsible for the shooting.
Following the instructions, the CPO constituted an investigation team headed by SP Iqbal Town.
The team will investigate the attack and pursue the suspects involved in the triple killing.
Police authorities are also expected to establish the circumstances that led to the armed assault.
Attack Linked to Alleged Police Spying
Initial reports suggest that the attackers suspected members of the settlement of spying on them for Kasur Police.
The alleged suspicion reportedly became the reason for targeting the settlement and its residents.
However, the available information does not establish that the victims actually provided information to police.
Therefore, the alleged spying remains a reported motive rather than an established fact at this stage.
The investigation will determine whether the allegation had any basis and what led to the deadly confrontation.
Armed Group Attacks Settlement Near Railway Track
The incident occurred in Samanabad, where members of the gypsy community had built homes around a railway track.
According to the initial account, around 10 people stormed the settlement before opening fire at its residents.
Rashid and Naeem were among the individuals reportedly identified in connection with the attack.
The shooting resulted in three deaths, while three-year-old Zainab suffered serious injuries and required hospital treatment.
The suspects reportedly escaped after the attack, leaving police to begin efforts to trace and arrest them.
Police Launch Investigation Into Triple Killing
Following the incident, senior police officials ordered immediate action against those responsible for the shooting.
The investigation team formed by the CPO will examine the circumstances surrounding the attack and identify the suspects.
Police will also investigate the alleged connection between the victims and the reported spying accusation involving Kasur Police.
At present, authorities have not established whether the victims had any involvement in providing information to police.
The reported allegation remains central to the initial account of the incident, while investigators work to determine the actual motive.
The case has therefore moved into the investigation stage, with police directed to arrest those involved.
Meanwhile, the condition of the injured three-year-old girl remains an important part of the aftermath of the attack. Further investigation is expected to clarify how the dispute began and why the settlement became the target of the shooting.
