BALAKOT (Kashmir English): A TikToker from the local area named Jawed Mahandri died from gunshot wounds while attending an iftar meal in Balakot, Mansehra district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
The unfortunate event occurred during his time with friends because of Ramadan observances. Mahandri and his friends were sitting together at the time when the shooting occurred.
The shooting incident developed into a social media viral video. The video begins with cheerful scenes showing friends who joke and interact with one another. Two men in the footage move toward the group. One man suddenly draws his pistol from his pants and aims it at Mahandri.
The gun fails to function properly which results in Mahandri receiving a gunshot wound. He died on the spot. His friends display disbelief in the video while they ask whether he had actually been shot.
People experienced panic because of the unexpected turn of events, which created a state of uncertainty. Police have started their investigation to determine whether the shooting incident happened by mistake or not.
The first reports indicate that the accused police constable believed his pistol remained unloaded during their joking session. Authorities confirmed that the bullet stored in the chamber caused deadly injuries.
The local community took to the streets to express their anger through protests, which emerged after the incident. Demonstrators attacked the Balakot police station with stones. Protesters attempted to set fire to both a police vehicle and various parts of the police station.
The protest came to an end when authorities detained the police officer who had been involved in the investigation. Senior Superintendent of Police (SP) Balakot Sabir Khan made commitments to protesters that strict legal action would be taken. He assured the victim’s family that the law would provide them with justice according to his promise.
Speaker of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly Babar Saleem Swati expressed his deep sadness about the incident. He described Mahandri as someone who held a special place in his heart.
