LAHORE, May 18: A double murder accused who was under treatment at the Mayo Hospital fled from the health facility despite police presence early on Saturday.

Sources said the suspect fled with the help of his accomplices who held the on-duty policemen hostage at gunpoint early on Saturday. However, police said the suspect slipped from the ward when he found the policemen asleep.

Police authorities suspended the Samanabad investigation in-charge and took a head constable and three constables into custody.

A police source said Athar Mehmood, who was linked to the murder of brothers Kashif and Faizan in Samanabad a few weeks ago and was injured in a crossfire with them in Sanda, was rescued by his two unidentified accomplices. He said Mehmood too had got a case registered with Sanda police against the two brothers he allegedly gunned down.

Iqbal Town SP (Investigation) Zahid Nawaz Gondal said Mehmood was admitted to the Gujranwala Ward and fled when he found all four policemen on duty asleep. He said he was neither handcuffed nor shackled because of his injuries. He had two bullet wounds on his chest and four on left arm.

The SP said an investigation had been launched to determine how Mehmood, who had to be operated upon on Sunday, left the hospital on foot.

ROBBERIES: Robbers looted cash and valuables worth more than Rs3.1 million in four strikes in the city on Saturday.

Four robbers barged in the house of Samia Naz in Wapda Town in Sattokatla police precincts and took away cash and valuables worth Rs1.7 million.

Four robbers stormed Samia Zubair’s house in E-Block in Johar Town and took away cash and valuables worth R600,000.

Two robbers entered a seed company office in Raiwind City police precincts and looted Rs750,000 at gunpoint.

Three robbers entered the factory of Adnan on Bund Road in Baghbanpura police precincts and snatched Rs80,000 from the staff.—Staff Reporter