Pakistani Air Force Officer Asim Tariq, who was a group captain for the Pakistan Air Force, was shot dead in Islamabad on Sunday, July 5, 2026, when he attempted to save a woman from an attempted kidnapping on Ninth Avenue.
The incident has sparked nationwide grief, with many hailing the serving officer’s final act as one of extraordinary courage and selflessness. According to Islamabad Police, the suspect was arrested within nine hours of the fatal shooting following an extensive manhunt.
What happened on Ninth Avenue?
As per the reports by the police investigation, Group Captain Asim Tariq was traveling on Ninth Avenue close to Shaheen Chowk, when he found that a woman was in trouble. The authorities stated that the woman got herself off a motorbike as its rider was trying to take her back, which made him stop his car.
The woman is reported to have rushed towards the car of the PAF officer for protection. A heated argument ensued between the Group Captain and the armed suspect. In the course of this fight, the suspect shot at him and managed to injure him critically before he escaped from the spot.
Woman says suspect was her colleague
According to the lady, the suspect was a colleague at her departmental store and had agreed to drop her at her workplace that day. But, she claimed, he took a different path and tried to take her somewhere else without her consent.
She resisted and, apparently, a fight broke out as a result of which she got off the motorcycle. It is then that Group Captain Asim Tariq intervened. Police believe the officer’s actions prevented the woman from being forcibly taken away, but tragically cost him his life.
Suspect arrested within nine hours
The IG Police of Islamabad Syed Ali Nasir Rizvi confirmed that the law enforcement agencies had immediately started investigations after the shooting. The police had constituted 11 investigation teams and conducted raids at several places before arresting the suspect named Saad Abbasi in just nine hours of the incident.
According to the IGP, both the victim woman and the suspect resided in the Khanna area of Islamabad and had worked with each other. It was revealed that the suspect had tried to forcefully take the woman away from there despite her rejection.
Group Captain Asim Tariq leaves behind his wife, a son, and a daughter. There have been various tributes for Group Captain Asim Tariq since his death from across Pakistan, where people are commending his bravery in taking the risk of losing his own life to save a women. The incident has also renewed discussions about public safety, violence against women and the risks faced by citizens who intervene to help victims of crime. Authorities have indicated that further details will emerge as the investigation progresses.
This is a developing story.
Sources: DAWN News, and Arab News.
