In a dramatic turn of events, Lahore gangster Teefi Butt was shot dead during an intense gunfight with police near Rahim Yar Khan in the early hours of Saturday. The high-profile encounter ended the years-long manhunt for the fugitive, who had been accused in several major criminal cases, including the murder of underworld rival Ameer Balaj Tipu.
Final Clash in Rahim Yar Khan
According to the Counter Terrorism Department (CCD), the confrontation erupted when armed men attacked a CCD convoy transporting Khawaja Tareef Butt, better known as Teefi Butt, from Karachi to Lahore. The CCD team had recently secured his custody after his arrest in Dubai through Interpol’s assistance.
As the convoy reached near Sanjarpur, in Rahim Yar Khan district, a group of unidentified gunmen ambushed the police vehicle, opening heavy fire. During the assault, a CCD officer sustained critical injuries, and the attackers managed to free Teefi Butt.
Within hours, the CCD launched a large-scale pursuit operation. Around 5 a.m., officers intercepted two suspicious vehicles, leading to a fierce exchange of gunfire that lasted nearly 25 minutes. When the shooting stopped, one of the attackers was found fatally wounded. Authorities later identified the body as that of Teefi Butt.
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CCD Confirms the Death
A CCD spokesperson confirmed Butt’s death, stating that another officer was injured during the shootout. “Multiple teams from local police and CCD are now tracking those involved in the ambush and the killing of Teefi Butt,” the official said. He added that a detailed investigation was underway to determine whether the ambush was a rescue attempt or a planned attack by rival gang members.
From Glasgow to Dubai: A Fugitive’s Trail
Police sources revealed that Teefi Butt had fled to Glasgow, UK, soon after the murder of Ameer Balaj Tipu in February 2024. Tipu was gunned down at a wedding ceremony in Lahore, reigniting a decades-old rivalry between two of the city’s most notorious underworld families — the Tipus and the Butts.
Investigators later arrested Ahsan Shah, a close friend of Ameer Balaj, for allegedly leaking Tipu’s movements to Butt’s gang. As the net tightened, Teefi Butt reportedly traveled to Dubai to renew his expired UK visa, which led to his capture earlier this month.
Authorities coordinated with Interpol to deport him to Pakistan, where he was handed over to CCD officials at Karachi Airport a day before the fatal incident.
Old Rivalries and Bloody Feuds
The Tipu-Butt feud is one of Lahore’s most infamous underworld rivalries. It stretches back to the 1990s when Ameer Balaj’s grandfather, Ameeruddin alias Billa Truckanwala, was killed in gang violence. His son, Arif Ameer alias Tipu Truckanwala, was also murdered in 2010. The violent history has spanned three generations, claiming several lives on both sides.
Police sources said both Teefi Butt and his cousin Aqeel Butt alias Gogi Butt were named suspects in Tipu’s murder. Gogi Butt, currently out on bail, has also faced multiple terrorism and organized crime charges.
The CCD has long monitored both families, who were among the top 20 gangsters targeted in the 2021 Lahore police crackdown under then-CCPO Ghulam Mahmood Dogar.
Underworld Politics and Power
Officers familiar with Lahore’s underworld say the feud has always carried political overtones. Some gang leaders allegedly joined political parties to gain influence and protection. Reports suggest both Teefi and Gogi Butt engaged in political activities while maintaining control over their criminal networks.
Police claim Ameer Balaj Tipu, who once had ties with the PTI, had recently joined the PML-N, sparking renewed tension. His growing influence reportedly threatened the Butt family’s dominance in the city’s criminal hierarchy.
Following Tipu’s murder, fear spread through Lahore’s crime circles that his killing could trigger another wave of revenge attacks.
Lahore’s Crime History
Lahore has long battled organized crime, particularly during the late 2000s. During Shehbaz Sharif’s tenure as chief minister, police launched major operations to curb underworld figures such as Saqib Langra, Mubeen Butt, Aslam Bassa, and Naveed Lumbiwala — many of whom were later killed in encounters.
Police officials recall that while some of these dons were eliminated, others shifted into politics or business to disguise their criminal networks. The Butts and Tipus remained central players in this shadowy power struggle.
Concerns Over CCD Operations
Despite public praise for CCD’s recent operations, concerns remain over the rising number of alleged police encounters.
In July, the Lahore High Court (LHC) ordered Punjab’s police chief to review CCD’s encounter policy after multiple petitions claimed fake encounters were being staged. Chief Justice Aalia Neelum noted that the court received around 50 complaints daily related to questionable police shootings.
She also criticized the pattern of FIRs, observing that in most encounters, “bullets never hit police officials or vehicles,” suggesting inconsistencies in official accounts. The court directed police to ensure transparency and prevent misuse of encounter laws.
The End of a Crime Era?
The death of Teefi Butt may mark the end of an era in Lahore’s underworld, but police fear it could also reignite the violent Tipu-Butt rivalry. With his death, law enforcement agencies are now bracing for possible retaliation from his associates.
For years, both families dominated Lahore’s criminal scene through extortion, smuggling, and political influence. But as one chapter closes with Teefi Butt’s demise, the question remains whether this will bring peace — or trigger another bloody cycle of revenge in the city’s underworld.
