An army officer has been taken into custody after a firing incident was reported at the Sarhad University campus in Islamabad on Monday morning.
According to sources, the events that led to the firing incident at Sarhad University began with a harassment complaint against a senior faculty member, followed by a student protest and an alleged confrontation involving the complainant’s husband, reportedly a military officer.
According to accounts circulating about the incident, the dispute began when Dr Aina, who heads the university’s Student Affairs Department, accused Dr Jadoon Khan, head of the Allied Health Sciences Department, of harassment. She subsequently lodged a formal complaint with the university administration.
The university administration reportedly suspended the HOD and constituted an inquiry committee to investigate the allegations. The findings of the inquiry have not yet been independently established.
The situation escalated when a group of students staged a protest demanding the reinstatement of the suspended HOD. Dr Aina reportedly approached the protesting students in an attempt to engage with them and defuse the situation.
During the protest, an altercation allegedly broke out between Dr Aina and some of the demonstrators. According to her account, one student grabbed her by the collar and threatened her, while university security personnel struggled to control the situation.
Dr Aina subsequently contacted her husband, who is reportedly an officer in the Pakistan Army. He arrived at the university alone rather than accompanied by military personnel, according to accounts of the incident.
After arriving on campus, the officer allegedly confronted a student identified by Dr Aina as having been involved in the earlier confrontation. Reports claim that the officer struck the student with a stick, after which other students surrounded him and the situation deteriorated further.
During the ensuing scuffle, Dr Aina was allegedly pushed to the ground, while some students reportedly attempted to grab her arms. The officer was also involved in a physical confrontation with members of the crowd.
The officer then reportedly drew his pistol and fired shots into the air, allegedly in an attempt to disperse the crowd and protect himself and his wife. There have been competing accounts on social media regarding the circumstances that led to the gunfire and the conduct of those involved.
According to police sources, the army has taken the officer allegedly involved in the incident into custody and initiated an inquiry as well as disciplinary proceedings against him.
The army said its system of discipline and accountability is based on the principles of justice and impartiality.
It added that all those found responsible for the incident would be held accountable for their actions.