Khawaja Tareef Gulshan, also known as Teefi Butt, the prime suspect in the Ameer Balaj murder case, has been killed in an alleged encounter with the Crime Control Department (CCD) in Punjab early Saturday morning, a day after being extradited from Dubai, media reports have stated.

 

According to a statement issued by the CCD, Teefi Butt, a proclaimed offender wanted in FIR No. 1163/24 registered at Chuhang Police Station, Lahore, landed at Karachi’s Quaid-e-Azam International Airport on October 10. The CCD team took his custody from the airport around 3:15 pm and departed for Lahore by road.

 

When the CCD team reached near Sanjarpur, District Rahim Yar Khan, in the early hours of October 11, a group of armed assailants intercepted their vehicle and opened fire. During the exchange, one CCD officer sustained serious bullet injuries and was shifted to a nearby hospital. The attackers managed to free Teefi Butt from police custody and fled the scene.

 

At around 5 am, CCD officials spotted two suspicious vehicles in Kot Sabzal, Rahim Yar Khan. Another intense gun battle broke out, lasting nearly 20 to 25 minutes. One person was found seriously injured at the scene and later died while being taken to a local hospital. He was identified as Khawaja Tareef Butt alias Teefi Butt. Another police officer was also injured in the shootout and moved to a hospital for treatment.

 

CCD officials confirmed that multiple teams from the department and local police have launched operations to trace and arrest the assailants involved in the attack that resulted in Teefi Butt’s death and injuries to two police personnel.

 

Teefi Butt, along with Khawaja Aqeel alias Gogi Butt and others, had been nominated in the murder case of Ameer Balaj, who was shot dead near Thokar Niaz Beg, Lahore, on February 19, 2024. After the killing, Teefi Butt fled abroad and was later declared a proclaimed offender. Punjab Police had sought approval from the Interior Ministry for his extradition, after which Interpol issued red warrants for his arrest.

 

He was brought back to Karachi late Thursday night via a private airline and later transferred to Lahore, where he was handed over to the Joint Investigation Team (JIT) probing the murder case.

 

Earlier, the CCD had requested custody of the suspect, but Lahore’s investigation police reportedly declined to transfer the case.