Underworld don and main accused in Ameer Balaj murder Khawaja Tareef Gulshan alias Teefi Butt was shot dead during a police “encounter” near Rahimyar Khan. Sources said that Teefi Butt was handed over to Pakistan after his arrest by authorities in Dubai. He was being shifted to Lahore when some unidentified persons opened fire on him. A police team comprising DSP CCD Syed Hussain Haider, DO CCD Inspector Abdul Hadi and Constable Saghir Ali was shifting the accused when eight unidentified gunmen riding two vehicles – white and black Corollas – tried to get Teefi Butt freed from the custody of the CCD team travelling in two vehicles. 

Later, the CCD team chased the assailants, and during the exchange of fire, Teefi Butt received gunshots. A driver of CCD team, Noor Ali, also received gunshot wound on his arm. Police after collecting the evidence, have initiated an investigation, while probing the incident from all angles. Teefi Butt died on the spot, while all the policemen remained unhurt. Teefi Butt, the chief suspect in the Ameer Balaj Tipu murder case, has been shifted from Dubai to Pakistan, media reports said on Friday.

Earlier, Teefi Butt had appeared before a Dubai court earlier this week. During the hearing, the presiding judge inquired about his willingness to return to Pakistan to face legal proceedings. Teefi Butt reportedly consented to his extradition, following which the Dubai authorities handed him over to a special Punjab police team that had travelled from Lahore to bring him back.

“The court asked the accused whether he wanted to return to Pakistan, to which he agreed,” a report said, quoting an official familiar with the case. “After that, the Dubai court formally allowed the handover to Punjab Police.” The suspect had landed in Lahore under police custody and was expected to be handed over to the Joint Investigation Team (JIT) tasked with probing the murder.

Credit: Independent News Pakistan (INP)