ISLAMABAD: In a significant breakthrough in the murder case of Ameer Balaj Tipu, the prime suspect, Khawaja Tareef Gulshan better known as Teefi Butt has been apprehended in Dubai.
His arrest was carried out with the cooperation of Interpol, and Pakistani authorities are currently processing his extradition to bring him back to face charges. Teefi Butt had reportedly fled Pakistan following the fatal shooting of Ameer Balaj Tipu, the son of the late underworld figure Arif Ameer, also known as Tipu Truckanwala. Punjab Police, with international coordination, tracked him to Dubai after declaring him a proclaimed offender earlier this year.
Meanwhile, another key figure in the case, Khawaja Aqeel alias Gogi Butt cousin of Teefi remains on interim bail. He had secured temporary pre-arrest bail from a Lahore court on August 16, citing fears of arrest if he voluntarily approached investigators. The court granted him relief and instructed full cooperation with the ongoing investigation at Chung Police Station.
His bail was extended until September 1 as the investigation progressed. Despite being declared guilty by the Joint Investigation Team (JIT) on September 2, Gogi Butt has yet to be taken into custody. Authorities have indicated that the prosecution will soon seek cancellation of his bail in court.
The murder took place on February 19, 2024, during a wedding function in the Chuhng area of Lahore. Ameer Balaj Tipu, believed to be in his early 30s, was shot multiple times in a targeted attack. According to police, he was critically injured and later died from bullet wounds to the chest. Three associates were also wounded in the incident, while the gunman was shot dead by Balaj’s security detail.
Investigations revealed that the alleged perpetrators, Teefi and Gogi Butt, were in different locations that night with Teefi reportedly escaping the country via Karachi and Gogi believed to be in Lahore.
On March 30, both suspects were declared absconders. Since then, authorities had been coordinating internationally to apprehend Teefi Butt, while monitoring Gogi Butt within Pakistan.
Sources from the JIT probing the case allege that Gogi Butt maintained active communication with Teefi Butt and played a central role in orchestrating the murder. Officials also highlighted Gogi’s prior involvement in multiple violent incidents linked to the Tipu family, further strengthening the case against him.
The upcoming court proceedings are expected to focus on cancelling Gogi Butt’s bail, especially in light of the JIT’s damning findings.
