A man threw acid on six people at a shop in Lahore’s Rang Mahal area after telling them he was going to offer them Zamzam water, police said, adding that the suspect has since been arrested.
According to police, the suspect arrived at a shop carrying two bottles in a bag, telling those present on the premises, “I will now make you drink Zamzam,” and then hurled acid at them before fleeing the scene. Footage of the incident has also surfaced online.
The six victims, identified as Muhammad Munir, Waheed, Usman, Tahir, Nazim and Ashraf, were shifted to hospital immediately after the attack. Police said that all six are out of danger.
Two remain admitted while four were discharged after initial treatment.
Superintendent of Police (SP) City took notice of the incident and issued orders for the suspect’s immediate arrest on the directions of DIG [Deputy Inspector General of Police] Operations Lahore. Station House Officer [SHO] Rang Mahal Farah Mushtaq arrested the suspect, identified as Rasheed, shortly after.
Police investigations revealed that the attack was motivated by a dispute over an altercation that had taken place five days prior. Legal proceedings against Rasheed have been initiated and investigations into further aspects of the case are going on.
