LAHORE — Azhar Butt, the main suspect in the murder of Javed Butt, was apprehended from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
The shooter Butt confessed during initial questioning that he was hired by Ameer Musab Tipu, the brother of the deceased Ameer Balaj Tipu. Azhar Butt claimed that he was promised Rs5lac in cash and a five-marla house upon the completion of the murder.
In a coordinated operation, Organised Crime Unit nabbed Ilyas while a third suspect, Arif, remains at large. Lahore police told a publication that Azhar Butt’s confession revealed that Ameer Musab Tipu, who is currently abroad, was his employer.
Police traced Azhar, Ilyas, and Arif through CCTV footage from crime scene on Canal Road and surrounding areas. During the probe, it was learnt that Azhar used semi-automatic pistol during the attack, with Ilyas positioned as a backup shooter and Arif as a standby.
After the assassination, the suspects escaped on separate motorbikes, evading capture for several days. They initially traveled to Murree and later to Abbottabad. The OCU utilized advanced technology and intelligence to track their movements. Despite attempts to avoid detection by turning off their phones, the suspects were eventually located through their contacts.
As of now, there is no solid evidence linking Ameer Musab Tipu’s brother, Ameer Fateh, to the hiring of the shooters. Arif, a former employee of the Tipu family, is believed to have been involved in planning the murder and recruiting Azhar, who then enlisted Ilyas.
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