SAHIWAL: A 19-year-old shepherd was brutally murdered by rustlers after resisting an attempt to snatch his eight buffaloes worth around Rs8 million in village 131/9-L of Tehsil Sahiwal on May 1.

Sahiwal police in collaboration with the crime control department (CCD) recovered both the stolen animals and the victim’s body.

Reports Muhammad Imran had taken the buffaloes for grazing in nearby agricultural fields on the afternoon of May 1. However, when he failed to return home by evening, his family and villagers launched a search operation but found no trace of him.

Announcements were later made through mosques and the family contacted 15.

Dera Rahim police registered an FIR No. 471/26 under Section 365 of the Pakistan Penal Code on the complaint of Imran’s elder brother, Shan Ali, against unidentified suspects.

Meanwhile, the CCD received a tip-off that some animal traders travelling in a truck were attempting to sell eight buffaloes near village 92/B. The team raided the area and seized the animals. During interrogation, the suspects failed to produce purchase documents and later confessed to stealing the buffaloes and killing Imran.

Police recovered Imran’s body from maize fields and Station House Officer Subha-e-Sadiq said the body bore multiple stab wounds.

After forensic examination, the body was handed over to the family. Police have added Sections 302 and 295 of PPC to the case.

DPO Usman Tipu confirmed that the recovered buffaloes had been returned to the victim’s family. Sources said the arrested suspects had also confessed to involvement in more than a dozen livestock theft cases across Punjab.

Published in Dawn, June 4th, 2026