RAHIM YAR KHAN – Shahid, a notorious social media gangster, was killed during a joint operation by police forces from Rahim Yar Khan and Rajanpur on Friday. Shahid, who had been wanted for a variety of criminal offenses, including kidnapping for ransom, terrorism, the murder of police officers, and armed robberies, was a high-profile criminal with a significant social media following.
Punjab Police Chief, Dr. Usman Anwar, hailed the operation as a significant success. Shahid, leader of the gang, had previously been targeted by law enforcement, with a bounty of Rs 10 million placed on his head. Initial reports suggested that Shahid’s death might have been the result of a dispute, with his associate and family member, Umar, being implicated in the killing.
Who Was Shahid?
Shahid was infamous for his social media presence across platforms like TikTok, Facebook, YouTube, and Instagram, where he gained a combined following of over 200,000. Shahid used his platforms to lure victims into honey-trap schemes, with targets being drawn in through promises of business opportunities, cheap advertisements, or even romantic advances, only to be kidnapped later.
He had positioned himself as a ‘vigilante’ after claiming his family members were killed in tribal conflicts, presenting himself and his gang as victims of government neglect. In one of his social media posts, he accused check post personnel in Rahim Yar Khan of discrimination, stating that the people from his area were treated as subhuman.
Shahid’s violent criminal activities and online presence made him a notorious figure in Pakistan, attracting both attention and condemnation for his role in terrorizing communities and exploiting social media to further his illegal endeavors.
