2017 Sargodha shrine massacre

On 1 April 2017, Abdul Waheed, the custodian of Pir Mohammad Ali Gujjar shrine, along with his associates tortured 20 people to death inside the shrine in Sargodha, Pakistan.[1] Waheed was arrested by police and later admitted to committing the crime. The Chief Minister of Punjab, Shehbaz Sharif announced Rs. 5 lakh (US$1,700) for families of deceased victims and Rs. 2 lakh (US$690) for each of the injured.[2]

2017 Sargodha shrine massacre
2017 Sargodha shrine massacre is located in Punjab, Pakistan
2017 Sargodha shrine massacre
2017 Sargodha shrine massacre (Punjab, Pakistan)
2017 Sargodha shrine massacre is located in Pakistan
2017 Sargodha shrine massacre
2017 Sargodha shrine massacre (Pakistan)
Location95 Shomaali, Sargodha, Punjab, Pakistan
Coordinates31°41′02″N 72°16′02″E / 31.683953°N 72.267105°E / 31.683953; 72.267105
DateApril 1, 2017 (2017-04-01)
TargetPeople visiting shrine
Attack type
Club beating, Torture, Drugging
WeaponsClub, Machete, Baton
Deaths20
Injured3
VictimsPeople at the spot
AssailantsShrine custodian, Abdul Washed and his associates
No. of participants
5
DefenderPunjab Police

Attack

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The caretaker of the shrine, Abdul Waheed invited people to visit the shrine and sedated them through food on late Saturday night.[2] Some sources also claimed that the food was poisoned. After sedation, Waheed started beating people along with his associates and tortured people with a club, a knife and other weapons. The assault was carried out in the courtyard of the shrine.[2] Some bodies of victims were nude.[2] During the assault, 20 people were killed, among whom were six belonging to a single family, while three were injured. Out of the three injured, one informed police.[3]

Investigation

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After being informed, the local police arrived and arrested Waheed and four of his accomplices.[3] During investigation, Waheed admitted to had have committed the crime.[3] Local rescue official Mazhar Shah said that Waheed used to meet his devotees twice a month and used to torture them.[2]

References

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  1. ^ "20 killed by shrine custodian in Sargodha: police". Dawn. Retrieved 5 April 2017.
  2. ^ a b c d e "20 tortured to death at Sargodha shrine". The Nation. 1 April 2017. Retrieved 5 April 2017.
  3. ^ a b c "Sargodha shrine case: Murderer, accomplices sent to police on physical remand". Geo News. 4 April 2017. Retrieved 5 April 2017.