Bahawalpur, 21 October, 2026 (Kamran Raja): The suspect accused of crushing a 15-year-old orphan, Waseem Abbas, to death with a car in Multan was killed in an alleged police encounter on the Northern Bypass in Bahawalpur, police officials said. According to District Officer CCD Irfan Akbar, the accused, Tauqir Nazir, had been arrested following the incident and produced before a court, which subsequently granted police a four-day physical remand. However, he later escaped from police custody. The CCD officer said police attempted to stop two motorcyclists on the Northern Bypass in Bahawalpur. When officers signalled them to stop, the suspects allegedly opened fire while attempting to flee. During the exchange of fire, Tauqir was reportedly killed by a bullet fired by his own accomplice, who escaped from the scene. The case relates to the death of Waseem Abbas, a 15-year-old orphan who was reportedly staying at an NGO-run orphanage. According to Multan CPO Akhtar Farooq, the boy had been sent to Tauqir seven days earlier to learn electrical work. The accused reportedly took electrical contracts in various buildings and had previously provided vocational training to children from the same orphanage. Police said the boy left the work after allegedly facing inhumane treatment, prompting the accused to chase him and run him over with a car. CCTV footage from multiple cameras at a private housing society in Multan reportedly captured the boy running away before being pursued and struck by a speeding vehicle. The footage from different angles contradicted claims that the incident was an accident and supported the allegation that the boy was deliberately run over. The incident sparked public outrage, and reports indicated that the accused was also subjected to violence by lawyers when he appeared in court. Following the incident, police registered a murder case and launched an investigation. Authorities are also examining the circumstances surrounding the boy’s placement with the accused and the role, if any, of the orphanage staff in the case. Further investigation is expected to establish the complete facts surrounding the killing and the alleged police encounter.