RAWALPINDI: Police have unearthed a gang allegedly involved in forcibly depriving individuals of their kidneys and transplanting them to foreign recipients.

The police on Saturday conducted a raid at a private residence in a housing society on New Airport Road and arrested four suspects and recovered mobile phones, cash and surgical equipment used in illegal operations.

According to a police spokesman, the action followed a call on the police helpline 15, reporting screams coming from the house. The Airport police immediately responded, interrupted an illegal kidney transplant in progress and rescued a man found tied to a stretcher.

According to the FIR, the gang had been selling kidneys to both Pakistani and foreign clients. The arrested suspects were involved in luring victims with false job offers. Once inside, victims would be intoxicated, made semi-conscious and subjected to medical tests to evaluate them for kidney removal and subsequent illegal sale.

With the timely and effective response of the police, one person was saved from an illegal transplantation. Four people were arrested and were being investigated, the spokesperson said.

He said accomplices and facilitators of the suspects will also be arrested soon.

Published in Dawn, August 3rd, 2025