RAWALPINDI: Police have booked three impersonators; two were caught red-handed while extorting money from citizens disguised as police officials near Dhoke Syedan Chowk (R.A Bazar) on Tuesday.

An FIR was registered against the three impersonators on charges of extorting money by putting a person in fear of injury. The charges were also laid under section 419 PPC for falsely acting as a representative of an organisation with a dishonest intent to gain advantage or cause harm.

Police have launched a manhunt for the third fleeing accomplice of the gang.

A police spokesman said that City Police Officer (CPO) Hassan Mushtaq Sukhera has taken strict action against the gang.

The money extorted from citizens after threatening and cheating them was also recovered. The arrest of the two impersonators came after a complaint was received about the accused being involved in illegal activities in the area with the support of the former alleged SHO of R.A. Bazaar, the spokesman said.

The SHO was suspended on Monday, and departmental action has been initiated against him. A case has been registered against both the arrested accused at R.A. Bazaar police station.

CPO Hassan Mushtaq Sukhera said that there is zero tolerance for corruption. Citizens should identify those involved in corruption, and strict action will be taken.

Meanwhile, the CPO Rawalpindi continued a strict accountability process in the Rawalpindi Police department, as the in-charge of Gulrez outpost was suspended and a charge sheet was issued on complaints of serious corruption on Tuesday.

The police spokesman said that Gulrez outpost in-charge, a sub-inspector, was suspended, and a charge sheet was issued on complaints of serious corruption.

Published in Dawn, September 2nd, 2026