ISLAMABAD, Jan 14: Two women, including the mother of a joint secretary of the Cabinet Division, were killed during an attack on an under-trial prisoner at the VIP ward of Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (Pims) Saturday night.

Rana Mohammad Sarwart allies Ayub, charged with kidnapping for ransom and murder, was admitted to the hospital on December 13 after being injured in an attack inside the district and sessions court.

The police said the prisoner was admitted to room No 8 of the VIP ward on the ground floor of the hospital but the two attackers mistakenly appeared in front of room No 9, where the joint secretary’s mother Saliha Bibi, 93, was admitted, and opened indiscriminate fire at the patient and her daughter Bilqis Bibi, 60. As a result, both the women died on the spot.

Another attendant of Ms Saliha identified as Qamrunisa suffered injuries.

Four policemen - an ASI and three constables - guarding the UTP along with the hospital’s security officials tried to catch the attackers but they melted away among the rush of people.

A police officer said the court of law had granted bail to the accused but he was still in police custody as the surety bonds had not yet been submitted.

Rana Sarwart had already survived two earlier attempts on his life - on September 17 and December 13 - at Islamabad district and sessions courts.

In the first incident, he remained unhurt but a police constable guarding him was injured. In the second attempt, the prisoner suffered a bullet injury but his attacker was also arrested.

Rawan Sarwat was involved in a kidnapping and murder case registered with the Lahore and Bhara Kahu (Islamabad) police in 2001.

He along with two other persons had kidnapped Rana Hafiz for ransom in Lahore and brought him to Bhara Kahu. After 45 days, the victim escaped from their custody but he was intercepted by the kidnapers after a brief chase.

A patrolling police team spotted them which led to an encounter during which the kidnappers shot the victim dead. Sarwat fled the country but his two accomplices were arrested. In 2003, Sarwat was traced in the US and later Interpol arrested him and handed him over to Pakistani police in Bangkok.

He was awarded seven-year imprisonment in connection with the kidnapping case which he has already served. However, the hearing of the murder case is still underway in the capital court.

Investigation showed that a relative of Rana Hafiz was behind the second attack on the prisoner.