A transgender person was allegedly gang-raped on Sunday by five men in Kasur near the bypass within the jurisdiction of Saddar Police Station.
Five suspects, including three nominated, held him and the transgender person at gunpoint before placing the victim in a car and driving her away, the FIR lodged by complainant Niaz Shah stated.
The incident took place in the Maan village of Kasur.
The transgender person later called Shah to inform him that she had been gang-raped near the bypass and abandoned on the roadside.
Police have registered a case against the five suspects and launched further investigation.
In another incident, the remains of three transgender individuals were found in bushes near the Nagori Cooperative Housing Society, adjacent to the M-9 Motorway, in Karachi on 21st September. Their identities were later confirmed through fingerprint analysis.
Reports quoted authorities as saying that the victims had been shot, with two receiving gunshot wounds to the chest, and the third to the head. According to Malir SSP Abdul Khaliq Pirzada, evidence collected from the scene suggests the shootings occurred at that specific location.
Two bodies were located together while the third was found a short distance away, indicating that one might have attempted to escape.
The condition of the bodies suggests they had been killed only hours ago, though the exact time of death will be established by a medical legal officer.
Investigators have retrieved two 9mm shell casings, a flashlight, tissue rolls and other items from the crime scene. The bullet casings will be analysed to determine if one or more firearms were involved.
SSP Pirzada said there were no surveillance cameras in the area but they were reviewing footage from nearby locations. He also said that there was evidence suggesting the victims had visited the site in the past.
No mobile phones or identification documents were discovered on the bodies.
As per the details of identification, among the deceased were 20-year-old Alex Riyasat, known as Aini, from Sheikhupura; 28-year-old Muhammad Jeel, known as Sameera, from Khairpur; and Asma.
The Gender Interactive Alliance (GIA), an organisation advocating for transgender rights, has released a statement following the incident. It said that the three victims resided in areas surrounding Bilawal Goth and Safora Town.
The group said that the incident highlighted a disturbing trend of targeted violence against the transgender community, portraying it as an attempt to intimidate the entire community.
It called on the Sindh government and police to conduct an open investigation and make prompt arrests. They also demanded the creation of a dedicated protection unit for transgender individuals and the implementation of stricter laws against hate crimes.
In the aftermath of the killings, members of the transgender community protested outside Jinnah Hospital. The demonstration was led by activist Bindiya Rana, who denounced the murders and announced that protests would take place across the province.
Rana said that the incident had instilled fear within the community, raising concerns about whether they should refrain from leaving their homes altogether.
Meanwhile, Sindh Chief Minister (CM) Murad Ali Shah has instructed the provincial inspector general to immediately arrest the killers and submit a report on the situation.