RAWALPINDI: Two police officials were kidnapped allegedly by religious parties’ protesters from the District Headquarters (DHQ) Hospital early on Sunday.

The two sub-inspectors (SI) were in the hospital in connection with the postmortem of the body of a man killed during Saturday’s clashes.

A hospital employee said: “At about 2am the two police officers called one of the heirs of the deceased inside the mortuary to hand him the body. As the heir of the victim went out and informed other people about it, some of them forced their entry into the mortuary.”

SI Aslam Hayat and Amanat Ali were at the hospital for postmortem of a man killed during Saturday’s clashes

He said the intruders first argued with the sub-inspectors and then started beating one of them. Later, they dragged the police officer out and again beat him up. The SI was then dragged into a car and driven away, he added.

Soon afterwards, the protesters again entered the mortuary and started beating the other sub-inspector and then kidnapped him too. However, a constable who was also in the mortuary managed to flee.

A senior police officer confirmed to Dawn that SI Aslam Hayat, associated with the homicide investigation unit, and SI Amanat Ali, who was assisting him, had been kidnapped by protesters from the DHQ hospital.

When Deputy Superintendent of Police (City circle) Farhan Aslam was contacted, he said the Ganjmandi police had registered a kidnapping case and investigating the matter.

“A kidnapping case has been registered against unidentified people,” the DSP said, adding the mobile phones of the two officials were found switched off and their fate was not known.

He said the protesters also took away police documents related to the case.

Meanwhile, after the failed attempt to disperse the religious protesters from Faizabad Interchange on Saturday, the police remained off the scene in the garrison city on Sunday. Rangers were deployed at Faizabad and the elevated metro bus track to ensure protection of important installations.

The police contingents remained stationed at the Rawalpindi Arts Council building near the cricket stadium.

Seven prison vans, one bus and five double-cabin vans belonging to the Cantonment, Chontra, Kalar Syedan police, the SSP operation, SP Rawal and a water tanker were damaged by the protesters.

A senior police official said the damage to the police transport fleet would create mobility problems for the police, adding some of the officials were now using private cars for patrolling.

The Soan Bridge connecting Gujar Khan to Rawalpindi remained occupied by stick-yielding protesters. Besides, Peshawar Road at Misryal was also blocked.

“I requested the protesters at Soan Bridge to allow me to proceed ahead as my mother is admitted to a hospital but they forced me to go back,” Mohammad Bilal, a motorcyclist, said, adding he was even not allowed to take the high court road.

Another commuter, Hassan, said: “I was on way to Gulistan Colony from Kalar Syedan when I found the road blocked at T. Chowk and then at Soan Bridge. I had no other choice but to return.”

Published in Dawn, November 27th, 2017