SWAT: Police arrested 23 suspects who had led the Madyan mob and taken law into their own hands by killing a man over blasphemy allegations, Swat district police officer Dr Zahidullah said on Sunday.

In all, 49 known and 2,500 unidentified suspects were booked in the FIR registered under sections 302, 324, 353, 341, 427, 436, 186, 149, 148 of the Pakistan Penal Code and Section 7 of the Anti-Terrorism Act, according to a statement issued from the DPO office.

The DPO told Dawn that a Joint Investigation Team (JIT) was formed, headed by SP (investigations) Badshah Hazrat Khan, to ascertain facts and bring the culprits to justice.

The JIT comprised DSP (Upper Swat) Mohammad Halim Khan, Madyan SDPO Syed Zaman Shah, Madyan SHO Islamul Haq, Investigation Officer Mohammad Karam, ASI Gauhar Khan (official in charge of IT investigation in Swat), as well as CTD, special branch and IB officials, he added.

The JIT systematically collected evidence, working on modern scientific and technical bases, under which 23 of the named accused were arrested in various operations the previous night. “While identification of other unknown suspects in the incident is ongoing. Further updates will be made regarding the incident,” he said.

The tragic incident had unfolded on June 20, when a tourist from Sialkot fell victim to an enraged mob, following allegations of desecration of the Holy Quran.

The mob’s fury was also directed at the Madyan police station, where officers had held the accused. Overwhelmed by the size of the crowd and aggression, the police found themselves unable to maintain control as the enraged mob stormed the police station, set fire to furniture, vehicles, and even vital documented records.

Amid the chaos, the blasphemy suspect was forcibly taken away from police custody. He was dragged through the streets, thrashed and ultimately killed. The gruesome act culminated near the Madyan Bridge, where the mob burned the victim’s body, along the banks of the Swat River.

Published in Dawn, June 24th, 2024