OKARA: In order to get an arrested suspect released, a mob of 27 people allegedly attacked a police team, damaged the official vehicle, torn off uniforms and snatched the policemen’s mobile phones.

According to a first information report (FIR), a Yousafwala police team was taking an arrested suspect, Liaquat, to a location for the recovery of snatched items. Liaquat has been under investigation in a dacoity case.

As the police team reached near Liaquat’s house in village 55/BD near Pipli Pehr-Dipalpur, his brothers Allah Ditta, Allah Yar and Shaukat Ali called around two dozen men and women who attacked the security officials to get Liaquat freed. The villagers damaged the police van, injured and tore off the uniform of Constable Awais and snatched a mobile phone, according to the FIR.

The team called the Pipli Pehr police post in-charge, who reached the spot with his force and rescued their fellows.

On the report of Assistant Sub-Inspector Muhammad Nawaz Ijaz, the Dipalpur Saddar police registered a case against 27 suspects, including Liaquat’s three brothers and 24 other unidentified men and women, under sections 427, 382, 353 and 186 of the PPC.

GIRL KIDNAPPED: A man along with his sister and two other unidentified suspects allegedly kidnapped a Class IX student while she was on her way home from the Government Girls High School, Basirpur.

According to the FIR, Zainab Arshad, 18, did not return home after school. Her family searched for her and contacted their neighbours also, but nobody had any information.

Later, some witnesses told them Zainab was seen being forcibly taken away by Karamat, his sister Maria and two unidentified others in a car towards Dipalpur.

On the report of the girl’s mother, Sheran Bibi, the Basirpur police registered a case against the suspects under Section 365-B of the PPC.

Published in Dawn, January 29th, 2023