What happened
According to Dawn, police in Islamabad reported that the primary suspect accused of defrauding a 20-year-old student, who subsequently died allegedly by suicide, was killed on Tuesday after his accomplices opened fire on a police team. The shooting took place within the jurisdiction of the Ramna police station while the suspect was escorting officers to track down another individual connected to the fraud.
An Islamabad police spokesperson stated that four armed associates riding two motorcycles fired indiscriminately at officers in an effort to rescue the main suspect. Police personnel remained unharmed due to bulletproof jackets and safety precautions, but the prime suspect was hit during the gunfire. He was rushed to a medical facility, where he died from his injuries. Authorities are currently conducting search operations to locate and arrest the remaining accomplices.
Key facts
As reported by Dawn, key details surrounding the investigation include:
- The Fraud Scheme: Laiba Ijaz, an International Islamic University student, was reportedly scammed out of Rs5 million that she paid for fake travel documents to relocate to the United States for her studies.
- Misrepresentation: The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) stated the chief suspect concealed his identity and professional status to take millions from Ijaz's family, promising her admission to Harvard University and securing employment for her brother with the help of a female accomplice.
- Government Intervention and Arrests: Following public attention, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif directed police to apprehend the culprit. Authorities subsequently detained the main suspect and two female accomplices during separate raids in the capital.
- Legal Proceedings: Ramna police registered a case under Sections 322 (unintentional murder) and 34 (common intention) of the Pakistan Penal Code. The FIA separately registered charges of cheating, abetment, and immigration fraud following a complaint by Ijaz's maternal uncle.
- Additional Information: The specific names of the suspects involved were Not specified in the source; please check the official notice.
Why it matters
According to Dawn, the case triggered direct orders from the Prime Minister and drew high-level law enforcement focus to fraudulent immigration agents. The concurrent actions by the local police and the FIA demonstrate an intensified crackdown on illegal visa operators following student deaths related to financial scams.
Source: Dawn - Home · Published October 21, 2026 · Photo by Sanket Mishra on Unsplash