BAHAWALPUR: Two more persons from Khairpur Tamewali tehsil were allegedly kidnapped for ransom by Katcha area robbers.

Reports said Muhammad Hafeez, a motorcycle-rickshaw driver from the village of Behli, left his house to work on March 19 but did not return. His father, Imam Bakhsh, got registered a first information report (FIR) under section 365 of the Pakistan Penal Code (PPC) at the Khairpur Tamewali police station on March 21 against unidentified men.

Imam Bakhsh stated in his complaint that Hafeez’s son Ismail contacted his father on March 20 on his cell phone, from where an unknown person responded and confirmed that Hafeez was in their custody.

The other abductee, Ijaz, also from the village of Behli within the limits of the Khairpur Tamewali police station, went out on March 19 and did not return home. His father, Ramzan, registered an FIR No. 230/24 on March 25 under section 365 of the PPC.

A video of Ijaz chained and being tortured by his captors demanding Rs5 million as ransom was sent to his family members.

Police spokesman told Dawn that both men were honey-trapped by the kidnappers. The district police are investigating the cases and making efforts to recover both Hafeez and Ijaz.

It is worth mentioning that earlier, Abid, an employee of the Rescue 1122, was also allegedly abducted by unidentified armed men. A video of him was sent to his family phone demanding Rs10m as ransom. Despite assurances from police officials, he has not been recovered so far.

GAS BLAST: Five members of a family – a woman and her four minor sons –suffered serious injuries in a gas blast which collapsed roof of the room in the early hours on Wednesday at Hussaini Chowk in Mubarakpur, about 40km from here in tehsil Ahmedpur East.

According to Rescue 1122, the button of the gas cooking-range was already on. As a match stick was lit, there was a big blast which collapsed the roof. As a result Shaheena Bibi (35) and her four sons Waqas (8), Shan (7) , Sultan (5) and Ayan (4) were trapped in the rubble.

They were rescued and rushed to Mubarakpur basic health unit. However, later they were shifted to Bahawal Victoria Hospital.

Published in Dawn, March 28th, 2024