Stampede at Tik. Toker's mehndi kills two, injures 17

The rush at the entrance gate triggered a stampede, during which several people fell to the ground and were trampled underfoot. One of the victims, Aqeel, a resident of Budha Goraya, died at the scene, while 18 people were initially injured and shifted to hospitals.

Among the injured was Rehan, a resident of Glotian Kalan, whose condition was critical. He was referred to Lahore's Mayo Hospital but later succumbed to his injuries, taking the death toll to two and leaving 17 others injured.

Soon after receiving information about the incident, Sialkot District Police Officer Captain (retd) Dost Muhammad reached the site. Police and Rescue 1122 personnel jointly shifted the injured to hospitals and cleared routes to facilitate the movement of ambulances.

Police registered a case at Motra police station on their own complaint under Sections 322, 431, 440, 188, 109, 148 and 149 of the Pakistan Penal Code, along with Section 16 of the Maintenance of Public Order Ordinance (MPO).

FIR names nine people, including event organiser Ansar Mahmood, alias 'Mr Patlu', Kashif, ground owner Haji Shahid Javed and other organisers Daniyal, Munir Ahmed, Mohsin Ali, Irshad Ali, Abdullah and Zohaib Mansha. Another 40 to 45 unidentified security guards have also been included in the case.

Police conducted raids late at night and arrested six suspects, while efforts were underway to apprehend the main accused, 'Mr Patlu', and the remaining suspects. The funeral prayers of both victims were offered in their respective ancestral villages, where they were laid to rest in the presence of hundreds of mourners.

Meanwhile, the district administration said an NOC had been issued for holding a mehfil-e-samaa and qawwali night at the private event, which was scheduled to take place after Isha prayers.