ISLAMABAD/RAWALPINDI: A suspect arrested in connection with a rape case escaped from police custody, as the police claimed that his accomplices managed to set him free, police said.

This has been the sixth such incident since February 12, in which either handcuffed suspects arrested in connection with different crimes, including murder, escaped from custody or the police officials had set them free by removing their handcuffs.

In the fresh incident, a suspect arrested in connection with the rape of an 11-year-old girl in the area of Banigala escaped from the custody of the police. Over the incident, over four police officials, including Moharar (station clerk) of Banigala and Shahzad Town police stations, were removed from their posts.

Earlier, a resident of Banigala got the case registered on April 12 and nominated the suspect, alleging that he had raped his daughter on March 25 and also threatened her with dire consequences at gunpoint.

Pindi police arrest 14 protesters outside eatery in Commercial Market; injured suspect detained after shoot-out

In response, the Banigala police arrested the suspect and detained him for further legal proceedings. Later, he was produced in the court of a magistrate, from where he was given into the police custody on physical remand.

However, the suspect escaped when he was taken back to the police station.

In the last two months, several suspects have escaped police custody for multiple reasons, including negligence.

14 detained by Pindi police

Rawalpindi police, on the other hand, foiled an attempt to storm a fast-food chain in the Commercial Market area of Satellite Town, and 14 suspects involved who threatened the eatery employees were detained by the police.

A spokesman for the police said on Wednesday that following the protest outside the restaurant, the New Town police took immediate action and arrested 14 suspects.

The accused created a disturbance by blocking the road, tried to enter the fast-food branch, and threatened the staff with serious consequences.

On receiving information about the incident, the police took immediate action and registered a case and arrested 14 accused.

The accused would be challaned in court with solid evidence.

On Tuesday night, City Police Officer Syed Khalid Hamdani, during a hurriedly called press conference at the Police Lines Headquarters, revealed that the police had rounded up 10 suspects involved in the attack on an eatery in Saddar Rawalpindi.

The CPO said that the police arrested the accused within 48 hours, adding that 10 people, including the prime suspect, were arrested.

The CPO said that the police arrested the accused with the help of the CCTV footage and human intelligence, and that they would submit their challans in court with solid evidence.

CPO Syed Khalid Hamdani said that police personnel had been deployed outside the fast-food branches, adding that rioting would not be tolerated under any circumstances. He said those who violated the law and rioted would be dealt with iron hands.

Suspect detained after gunfire

Meanwhile, one of the suspects was rounded up by police after he was injured during an exchange of gunfire with police in Pirwadhai on Tuesday night, while his accomplice managed to escape.

A police spokesman said that a police party was present in the area near a graveyard in Pirwadhai when the suspects started firing at the police. As the police started chasing them, the suspects tried to escape under the cover of fire. During the firing, one of the suspects was injured while his accomplice managed to escape. Weapons were recovered from the suspect, said the spokesman.

The injured suspect has been identified as Umar Khan, who has a record in several drug cases. Senior police officers reached the spot after receiving information about the incident. Search operations were underway to arrest the suspect.

Published in Dawn, April 17th, 2025