A Highway Police officer was martyred and two of his colleagues injured when passengers riding a car opened fire on them for issuing a challan ticket near Hazara Motorway interchange in Mansehra on Saturday, reported 24NewsHD TV channel.

The car-riders, coming from Peshawar to Mansehra, started firing after the officers issued them a ticket near Badra Chowk.

Sub-Inspector Aamir Khan Swati died on the spot while his two colleagues – Babar and Naveed – received injuries.

According to the police, the incident occurred when the Mehran car coming from Peshawar was stopped for violating traffic regulations i.e., reckless driving at a toll booth.

The suspect, identified as Mohammad Khalid and reportedly a resident of the Karkala area of Mansehra, managed to flee the scene in his car following the shooting.

The deceased inspector and the injured personnel have been transferred to King Abdullah Hospital in Mansehra.

In order to apprehend the culprit, the police have cordoned off the area and launched a search operation. Additionally, several checkpoints have been set up at different locations as part of the ongoing investigation.

District Police Officer Shafeeullah Gandapur told reporters that the incident was not an act of terrorism but it arose from a motorist’s anger over receiving a Rs1,500 traffic violation ticket from wardens.

Reporter Shahid Tabassum