FAISALABAD: Family members of Asif, who was gunned down in an alleged encounter by the Gulberg police, staged a protest demonstration outside the Allied hospital morgue on Wednesday, and demanded registration of a case against the policeman.

A four-member team, led by Sheikhupura Regional Police Of ficer Zulfiqar Hameed (convener), has been formed to probe the issue.

Talking to Dawn, the family claimed the ordeal of Asif had started in 2008 when he contracted love marriage with a relative of a Gujranwala DSP. They said the police kept on registering `fake cases` against Asif allegedly at the behest of the DSP and he was declared innocent during differentinguiries.

They said the policemen in Gujranwala also faced penalties on charges of implicating Asif in cases of robbery, thef t and illegal weapons.They said the ordeal of Asif ended when he succumbed to `police pressure`, divorced his wife and left for the United Arab Emirates to avoid any `untoward` incident. They said Asif came to Shahkot, an area adjacent to Faisalabad, a couple of days ago to see his [paternal] relatives.

`It is baseless allegation that Asif was carrying two pistols and wanted by police in cases of heinous crimes.

Everything is available on the record which will prove that he is innocent,` claimed one of the family members.

He said when the police had shot at and injured Asif and he was not resisting then `why did the police kill him on the spot rather than taking him into custody.?` He said footages were aired by the news channels which clearly showed that Asif was not trading fire with police personnel.

`Police were not ready to hand over the body to us for burial at his native town in Gujranwala and our protest forced them to do so,` healleged.

The Punjab government team, comprising the RPO, additional secretary (judicial) of home department, member chief minister inspection team and an expert of the Punjab Forensic Science Agency, will probe the issue within 48 hours, said a notification issued on Tuesday night.

`The team has been asked to ascertain facts leading to the incident of allegedly f ake police encounter, unveil whether the dacoit/ accused was killed over resistance/ retaliation by police of ficial(s) or otherwise, find out whether the name of the dacoit/accused was enlisted as `most wanted` criminal or alike, ascertain delinquency/negligence on the part of the police, fix responsibility and recommend action,` it said.

Meanwhile, the Gulberg police on Tuesday night also registered a case against Asif and his unidentified fellow under section 34, 186, 324, 353 of PPC and 13/20/65 of Arms Ordinance 2015.