Pakistan: Couple, daughter killed in encounter by Counter Terrorism Department; 2 kids survive

A video of the incident is circulating on the internet and has generated huge furore around the 'brutal' encounter that took place because the CTD personnel suspected the members to have terror links.

A couple and their teenage daughter were killed by Pakistan's CTD in an encounter near Lahore. Two little daughters have survived the incident.

New Delhi: In an incident displaying sheer insensitivity of Pakistani police, four people of a family were battered by bullets on highway, by the personnel of the Counter Terrorism Department (CTD), who mistook the family for a group of terrorists. A married and their teenage daughter were reportedly among those killed. Two little girls have survived the firing as they were sitting in the car’s trunk.  The incident took place at Sahiwal which is approximately 180 km from the major city Lahore and lies between Lahore and Multan. A video of the same has emerged which has sparked widespread outrage in the country, with the government facing harsh criticism for the lackadaisical attitude resulting in death of a family. Chief Minister of Pakistan’s Punjab province Sardar Usman Buzdar has set up a JIT to probe the matter. On Saturday, he ordered the arrest of the CTD personnel involved in the alleged shootout in Sahiwal where four persons were killed while their minor son received bullet wounds, DawnNewsTV reported. As per the neighbours of those killed, the family was going to attend a wedding. The police are claiming that the fourth person, who was killed, had links to some terror organisation. Prime Minister Imran Khan took to Twitter to criticise the incident and announced that the two children will be taken care of by the government. “Still shocked at seeing the traumatized children who saw their parents shot before their eyes. Any parent would be shocked as they would think of their own children in such a traumatic situation. These children will now be fully looked after by the state as its responsibility.” Watch detailed report here: