Senior television and film actor Rana Aftab was shot dead by unknown assailants outside his residence in Lahore’s Park View Society, early Monday morning, sending shockwaves across the entertainment industry. He was 63.
According to police and family sources, the attack happened around 8:40 am when Rana Aftab was leaving his house in his vehicle.
A First Information Report (FIR), filed by his wife Huma Aftab, says that three to four unidentified men came in a golden Corolla and blocked his car at the main gate.
One of the attackers got out of the vehicle and started firing with a Kalashnikov-type weapon, firing several rounds at close range.
Huma Aftab’s brothers, Khurram Munsha and Faisal, are said to have been present at the scene of the attack after they had heard the gunshots.
The assailants left the scene straight away, fleeing by the society’s main one-way gate. According to police, the main gunman was about 5 feet 5 inches tall, medium built, has wheatish skin, and wore shalwar kameez.
Law enforcement officials gathered the evidence from the scenario and transferred Rana Aftab’s body to a hospital for a post-mortem examination. A murder case is registered and the investigation is continuing to find out motive of killing.
No arrest has been made so far. The family has said that funeral prayers will be held after completion of the post-mortem.
Rana Aftab worked several years ago as a deputy director with the Excise Department and recently associated with Style Textile.
Although he had a long career in government he gained wide recognition for his work in television and cinema, especially in his authoritative roles as judges and lawyers.
His notable television dramas were Lal Andhi, Log, Rakhwala and Ek Mohabbat Azmaish as well as the numerous Punjabi productions for PTV. In films he was seen in films like Aman Ke Rakhwale, Wehshi Gujjar, Madam Charlie, Sher-e-Lahore, Qabza Group etc.
His sudden death such died a pall of grief among the showbiz world, other artists, directors, and fans are offering condolences and prayers to the departed actor and his family.
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