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The investigation into the brutal murder of 35-year-old Suhail Choudry has entered a high-intensity phase under the code name Operation Pandemus, with West Yorkshire Police confirming that the fatal assault was a "targeted attack" involving a group armed with bats and sticks. As the community gathers to mourn, the focus of the Homicide and Major Enquiry Team has shifted to a series of specific arrests and a wider pattern of violence that plagued the town in the days leading up to the tragedy.
Operation Pandemus: The Hunt for the Armed Group
Police have now categorized the incident on Flasby Street as a coordinated pursuit and assault. Evidence suggests that Suhail Choudry was chased through the East Avenue area by a group before being fatally struck. Detective Chief Inspector Matt Holdsworth has confirmed that the investigation is now looking at this murder as part of a larger chain of events, investigating whether previous "violent incidents" in Keighley provided the catalyst for the February 8 attack.
Read Also: Grief and Justice: Keighley Mourns Suhail Choudhary as Murder Probe Intensifies
Custody Updates and Forensic Progress
Significant progress has been made with the detention of multiple suspects. Most recently, a 42-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of murder and remained in police custody as of late yesterday. This follows the arrest of a 27-year-old man who, after being initially held for attempted murder, was re-arrested on suspicion of murder following Mr. Choudry’s death; he has since been released on bail. Additionally, a 30-year-old man and a 33-year-old suspect arrested for assisting an offender have also been granted bail as forensic teams continue to analyze evidence recovered from several cordoned scenes across Keighley.
Tracking the Lead-Up to the Violence
A critical element of the current probe is the "pre-attack" timeline. Detectives are meticulously reviewing CCTV and doorbell footage to identify the "group armed with weapons" described by witnesses. The focus is not only on the 3:14 am assault but on the 48 hours prior, where local intelligence suggests a escalating series of altercations. Two other men, aged 21 and 24, were also injured during the initial incident, and their testimonies are being treated as vital pieces of the forensic puzzle to determine the motive behind the escalation.
Read Also: Keighley Ambush: Fourth Arrest as Police Probe "Targeted" Group Killing
Community Vigil and the Call for Digital Evidence
At a poignant commemoration today on Flasby Street, over 100 people stood in silence at the site where the father-of-two was found. The gathering served as a stark reminder of the human cost, as the family—including his pregnant widow Zara—appealed for the public to stop "the cycle of silence." Police are specifically requesting that anyone with footage or information use the Major Incident Public Portal (MIPP) to submit data discreetly, ensuring that those who may fear retaliation can help the inquiry anonymously.
What Happens Next in the Investigation
In the coming days, the Homicide and Major Enquiry Team will focus on the forensic examination of weapons potentially linked to the scene and the digital footprints of the suspects currently on bail. With the 42-year-old suspect still being questioned, the community can expect increased police visibility and potential further raids as officers "build a fuller picture" of the suspects' movements. The results of the post-mortem and forensic analysis of the East Avenue chase route are expected to be the next major milestones in the quest for justice.
