RAWALPINDI: Rawalpindi Police have issued a statement regarding the killing of Muhammad Hussain, who was allegedly shot dead after opening fire on security forces on Mall Road in Rawalpindi on August 11.
According to a spokesperson for Rawalpindi Police, the incident occurred at around 11:15 a.m. on August 11, 2026, when Muhammad Hussain allegedly opened fire on security forces on Mall Road.
Security official injured in firing
Police said that one member of a security forces patrol team was injured in the firing.
According to the police spokesperson, security personnel responded to the attack and killed Muhammad Hussain in retaliatory fire.
Police say mobile phone yielded further evidence
The Rawalpindi Police spokesperson said further evidence had emerged from a mobile phone and other belongings recovered from Muhammad Hussain.
The spokesperson alleged that Muhammad Hussain had links to a particular political party. However, police have not yet released details regarding the nature of the alleged political links identified from the mobile phone and other belongings.
Conflicting claims over political affiliation
Conflicting claims have emerged regarding Muhammad Hussain’s alleged political affiliation.
Security sources claimed that Muhammad Hussain was an active Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) worker who allegedly remained in contact with the party leadership and acted on its instructions.
The sources further alleged that he had previously been involved in violent incidents during protest sit-ins, including acts of provocation, stone-pelting and firing. According to the sources, he had allegedly targeted security personnel with gunfire during such protests.
PTV News reports alleged recovery of PTI flag
PTV News, citing security sources, also reported that the alleged attacker was a resident of Khyber and an active PTI member.
According to the report, a PTI flag, a firearm and ammunition were allegedly recovered from his possession.
Footage aired on television purportedly showed a red-and-green piece of cloth, a firearm and bullets said to have been recovered from the scene.
Information Minister criticises PTI
Following the incident, Federal Information Minister Attaullah Tarar criticised what he described as PTI’s alleged “politics of violence.”
He said there was no justification for firing on security personnel and noted that the incident had taken place on Mall Road in Rawalpindi.
Tarar alleged that PTI workers had previously been involved in violence against security personnel while armed during protests.
PTI has rejected attempts to link Muhammad Hussain to the party and distanced itself from the incident.
PTI Islamabad Regional President Aamir Mughal said the party believed in peaceful and unarmed political struggle and had no connection with terrorism or the Mall Road incident.
Mughal called for the facts surrounding the shooting to be brought to light and urged that the incident not be used to defame the party. He also rejected attempts to portray PTI as a terrorist or anti-state organisation.
Rawalpindi Police said further investigation into the incident is underway.
More facts are expected to emerge once the investigation into the shooting and the evidence recovered from Muhammad Hussain is completed.
The claims regarding Muhammad Hussain’s alleged political affiliation and previous involvement in violent incidents have not been independently verified.
