Who Was PAF Group Captain Asim Tariq? Inside the Islamabad Shooting Incident

Pakistan is mourning the loss of Pakistan Air Force (PAF) Group Captain Asim Tariq, who was martyred after courageously stepping in to protect a woman during an alleged attempted abduction in Islamabad. The tragic incident has drawn nationwide attention, with many hailing the senior Air Force officer as a true hero who sacrificed his life to save another.

Who Was PAF Group Captain Asim Tariq?

Group Captain Asim Tariq was a serving officer of Pakistan Air Force (PAF). He was on his official duty when he spotted a man whom police allege was trying to force a woman onto a motorcycle near Shaheen Chowk on the Ninth Avenue of Islamabad, police said.

Group Captain Asim Tariq did not ignore the incident, but stopped his car, identified and tried to intervene and protect the woman. The armed man then fired and killed the PAF officer a few seconds later. He gave himself up to martyrdom for an act of public service and bravery.

What Happened in the Islamabad Shooting?

Islamabad Police said the accused Saad Abbasi and the woman, named Nimra, had been working together earlier. The suspect wanted to take the woman to another place but she refused it again and again, investigators said.

The argument turned violent near Shaheen Chowk where Group Captain Asim Tariq had been present. While he was trying to detain the suspect and help the woman, the suspect had returned and shot the officer, before escaping the area. Later, the PAF officer passed away from his wounds.

Suspect Arrested Within Nine Hours

Ali Nasir Rizvi, Inspector General of Police, said that after a lengthy police operation, the suspect was arrested within nine hours of the shooting.

Authorities set up 11 investigation teams, and applied Safe City cameras, digital surveillance, physical intelligence and artificial intelligence to track the suspect’s movements. The accused got into a private bus to try to escape but police traced and he was caught by investigators before he could run away, police said.

Investigation Continues

The investigation will continue based on forensic evidence, CCTV footage and witness statements, police said. The ongoing investigation also includes a look into the woman’s past encounters with the suspect and other related incidents.

The martyrdom of Group Captain Asim Tariq has been widely praised across Pakistan, with many describing his actions as an extraordinary example of courage, selflessness, and duty beyond the call of service.