Police release new photograph of fugitive sought over fatal blaze

Detectives hunting Shahid Mohammed in connection with an arson attack that killed three generations of a Huddersfield family have stepped up their international manhunt and released a new image of him.
By The Newsroom
Published 24th May 2013, 09:55 BST

The photograph seized during the ongoing police investigation reveals his most recent appearance.

On Wednesday evening six men and two women were bailed pending further enquiries after they were arrested on suspicion of assisting an offender.

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A 38-year-old man has since been arrested and bailed on suspicion of assisting an offender, bringing the total to nine.

The fatal fire in May 2002 claimed the lives of eight members of the Chishti family as it engulfed the home of Abdul Aziz Chishti in Osborne Road, Birkby.

At least four petrol bombs were thrown at or into the house through a broken window, igniting at least two litres of petrol that had been poured through the letterbox.

Eleven members of the family were asleep at the time. Head of the household, Mr Chishti was sleeping downstairs and was led to safety by his daughter, Siddiqah Aziz, but she was unable to save anyone else.

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Trapped upstairs was her brother Muhammed Ateeq-Ur-Rehman, 18, her elder sister Nafeesa Aziz, 35, with her five children Tayyaba Batool, 13; Rabiah Batool, 10; Ateeqa Nawaz, six; Aneesa Nawaz, two; and Najeeba Nawaz, six months. All were killed.

Mr Chishti’s wife, 54-year-old Zaib-u-Nisi, died in hospital a week later.

Shahid Mohammed was originally arrested in 2003 following the blaze but has remained at large since failing to answer police bail.

Detective Superintendent Lisa Griffin, Senior Investigating Officer, said: “The scale of this tragedy cannot be over stated. The devastating fire claimed the lives of five children and three adults. This remains the biggest multiple murder that West Yorkshire Police have investigated in 30 years.

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“The manhunt has stepped up a gear with positive lines of enquiry taking us closer to achieving our objectives of locating the fugitive Shahid Mohammed and identifying those persons who seek to protect him.

“The determination of West Yorkshire Police to support the family of these victims by delivering a successful conclusion couldn’t be stronger.”

In July 2003 three Huddersfield men were convicted for their part in the crime.

Anyone with any information should contact the non emergency number 101 or Crimestoppers in confidence on 0800 555 111.

Related topics:PoliceHuddersfield