A 19-year-old man arrested in Peshawar on allegations of desecrating graves and sexually abusing the remains of recently buried women and children was killed Tuesday after unidentified gunmen opened fire on a police team, according to police.

The incident occurred in the Budhni/Budber area as police were taking the suspect, identified as Salman, to Sheikhān Cemetery to identify locations connected to the investigation.

According to a police statement cited by BBC Urdu, six unidentified armed men riding three motorcycles suddenly opened fire on the police vehicle. Police said the attackers damaged the official vehicle as well as an officer’s bulletproof vest and helmet.

Salman was seriously wounded in the shooting and died while being taken to a hospital, police said. The attackers fled the scene.

Police said they have launched a search operation to identify and arrest those responsible for the attack.

Arrest followed alleged cemetery incidentSalman had been taken into custody Monday after a cemetery watchman........

© Naya Daur