RAWALPINDI: Police have recaptured two suspects who were freed by a mob from the Saddar Bairooni police on Saturday, and have launched raids to arrest those who attacked the police and freed the suspects. The two suspects were allegedly involved in assaulting and robbing a family. A mob attacked a police chowki and freed two individuals who were arrested for intercepting and assaulting a family and then robbing them on Adiala Road.

Although the police managed to recapture the two suspects, identified as Hamza Shamim and Tayyab, a group of their supporters later attacked the police to free the two men.

Superintendent of Police (SP) Ghais Gul said the police brought in the two suspects in response to an emergency call from Mohammad Nadeem, who was assaulted by two individuals along with his family for overtaking their vehicle.

He said the two suspects were brought to the police station, and over 20 of their supporters raided the police station and freed the two men. The suspects were recaptured, while their supporters escaped.

Mr Gul said two separate cases; one based on the complaint of the victim for intercepting, assaulting and robbing a family and the other on the charges of attacking the police and freeing the suspects, have been registered. He said police raids to arrest those who attacked the police and freed the suspects were underway. “Suspects who do not enjoy a good reputation in the area will be brought to justice, as the police is after them,” the superintendent said.

Published in Dawn, May 2nd, 2016