RAWALPINDI: Investigations into a cracker attack on a private clinic and extortion of money from its owner allegedly by the outlawed Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) have been suspended due to lack of evidence.

Police sources close to the investigation told Dawn that files of both the cases had been closed for want of clues.

The two cases related to the demand of Rs100 million ransom from Dr Hamid Hassan, son of Dr Mehmoodul Hassan, a retired army general, reported to the police on August 27, 2012, and the terrorist attack on Dr Hamid’s private clinic on Peshawar Road on August 30, 2012.

The TTP had claimed responsibility for the terrorist attack on the private clinic and warned of more attacks.

The cases relate to an attack on a private clinic and extortion of money from its owner

When contacted, Regional Police Officer (RPO) Akhtar Umar Hayat Laleka told Dawn: “According to the police working, the two cases have been temporary labelled as ‘untraced’ due to lack of clue. However, the investigation will be restarted whenever the police found any fresh evidence.”

The RPO claimed that due to police strategy there had been no fresh case of extortion reported to the police in Rawalpindi and Islamabad.

The sources said after the doctor received extortion calls, he agreed to pay the ransom after negotiations with the extortionists. The ransom was reportedly paid through Qari Zarar, who is on police wanted list in connection with some other cases.

On August 29, 2012, a cracker was hurled at Dr Hamid’s private clinic on Peshawar Road.

Dr Hamid, who was also associated with the Rawalpindi Medical College as the professor of surgery, was away from the clinic when the attack was carried out. A vehicle and windowpanes of the clinic were damaged in the attack.

Dr Hamid had already received a threat call from an unidentified person who demanded Rs100 million ransom from him and also had given the deadline of 72 hours to meet the demand.

Dr Hamid lodged a case with the Westridge police stating that he had received a call from a man who identified himself as Latif Khan and a member of the ‘Kaleemullah Mehsud’ group.

Sources close to the investigation said the telephone call had been made from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

Later, the TTP claimed responsibility for the attack. The police traced the man who had received the ransom money from Dr Hamid.

Published in Dawn, July 23rd, 2014