In a heart-wrenching tragedy, two Christian brothers, Imran Denial (30) and Arslan Denial (24), were brutally murdered on 24th October 2024 in Rachna Town, a suburb of Lahore. Their refusal to participate in drug trafficking for Muslim drug lords Ali Butt and Qadir Butt ended in a violent confrontation that claimed their lives.
The incident unfolded in the Denial brothers’ family-owned salon, where the attackers stormed in, demanding to use the space to sell drugs. Upon rejection, the situation escalated into verbal abuse and threats. Arslan’s principled stand against criminality enraged the drug lords, leading to a horrific sequence of violence. Imran was shot in the head and died at the scene, while Arslan, struck twice in the head and neck, succumbed to his injuries en route to Mayo Hospital Lahore.
A devastating attack
The rampage did not end with the two brothers. In their violent spree, the assailants fired indiscriminately, injuring others present, including their cousin, Waleed Masih, who was shot in the thigh. A stray bullet tragically struck a young girl passing through the bazaar, adding another innocent life to the toll.
The grieving younger brother, Usman Denial, recounted the harrowing events, describing how Imran, despite being unwell, had returned to the salon with Arslan shortly before the attack. The drug lords, known to frequent the salon, sought to intimidate the family into compliance. When their demands were met with resistance, the confrontation spiraled into deadly violence.
A family in mourning
The Denial family, reeling from the brutal loss of two sons, is now living in fear. The suspects remain at large, and local police have yet to make any arrests. Despite registering a First Information Report (FIR) under murder and related charges, authorities have failed to apprehend the perpetrators, leaving the family vulnerable to further threats.
Daniel Masih, father of the slain brothers and a retired employee of Mayo Hospital Lahore, expressed his anguish over the police’s inaction. “It has been ten days, and the murderers are still free. My family is living in constant fear,” he lamented.
Community support
The British Asian Christian Association (BACA) has stepped in to support the grieving family. Representatives visited the Denial household on 4th November, offering condolences and legal assistance. BACA has pledged to help the family secure justice and protect them from further harm.
BACA Chairman, Wilson Chowdhry, condemned the attack, stating, “This heinous crime highlights the plight of Christians in Pakistan, who often face persecution and violence with little recourse to justice. We will stand with the Denial family and work tirelessly to bring the murderers to justice.”
The fight for justice
The family has appealed to higher authorities to ensure the arrest of the killers and provide protection. Despite the local police raiding the suspects’ homes, the drug lords and their families had already fled, leaving the houses locked. This lack of progress has deepened the family’s despair and vulnerability.
The Denial brothers were principled men, rejecting the lure of crime to maintain their dignity and integrity. Their refusal to sell drugs was not just a stand for their family’s honour but also a courageous act in a community grappling with the scourge of narcotics.
More Read
A call for action
The brutal murder of Imran and Arslan underscores the growing need for stronger protections for religious minorities in Pakistan. Christians, often marginalised, face systemic persecution, and incidents like these reflect the deep-seated vulnerabilities they endure.
The Denial family’s call for justice has resonated with local and international advocacy groups. BACA’s legal team is working to expedite the investigation and push for accountability. However, the path to justice remains fraught with challenges, as the suspects’ influence and the community’s systemic inequalities obstruct the process.
Conclusion
The deaths of Imran and Arslan Denial are a tragic reminder of the cost of standing up against criminality and corruption. Their unwavering integrity cost them their lives, leaving behind a grieving family and a shaken community. While the road to justice is uncertain, the Denial family’s resilience and the support of organisations like BACA provide a glimmer of hope in their darkest hour.
For now, their family and community wait, hoping for swift justice and the assurance that such tragedies will not be repeated.
