PESHAWAR, Pakistan, July 25 — A TikToker wanted by police in multiple criminal cases was killed during an exchange of gunfire in Pakistan’s northwestern city of Peshawar after allegedly opening fire on police officers responding to a reported street crime, authorities said on Saturday.
According to police, officers from Peshawar’s Kotwali Police Station rushed to the scene after receiving reports of a snatching incident within the station’s jurisdiction. Police said the suspects opened fire with the intent to kill when officers arrived.
During the exchange of fire, a Rider Squad police officer, identified as Haider Ali Shah, was injured.
Police said one of the suspects, identified as Masal alias “Masalay,” son of Sher Bahadur and a resident of Qazi Khelan, was killed after being struck by gunfire allegedly fired by one of his own accomplices during the shootout.
Authorities described the deceased as a notorious drug trafficker, habitual offender and armed robber who was wanted in several criminal cases.
According to police records, the suspect faced charges under Pakistan’s narcotics laws, including the Control of Narcotic Substances Act (CNSA), as well as the Arms Act. He was also wanted in cases involving robbery, criminal intimidation and offences under child protection legislation.
Police said the suspect had been booked in multiple cases registered between 2020 and 2025 at Kotwali and Chamkani police stations.
The second suspect managed to escape from the scene, and police said search operations were underway to apprehend him.
Authorities did not immediately disclose whether any weapons or narcotics were recovered during the operation. The incident remains under investigation.
