LAHORE, Nov 8: DIG (Operations) Muhammad Tahir Rai on Thursday suspended eight elite police force personnel, including an inspector, from service on the charge of dereliction of duty.

The suspensions have been made on the orders of the provincial chief executive after the officials deployed with Indian delegates for escort duty were seen enjoying the dinner hosted by the All Pakistan Textiles Mills Association in the honour of Indian Punjab Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal at the Royal Palm Golf and Country Club on Nov 6.

The officials took dinner instead of performing security duty.Those who have been suspended from service and served with show-cause notices are Inspector Akmal (in-charge), head-constable Sajjad, constables Amjad, Babar Ali, Sadaqat, Abdul Khaliq and Kamran and driver constable Ayub.

A source privy to the development told Dawn that the suspended officials standing at the parking area were invited by the Aptma organisers for the dinner after the guests had taken it.

He said the officials, who accompanied the delegation since the day one, joined a few cops who were already having a meal.

The source said the video footage aired by a local news channel showed that some policemen were seen having meal in a gathering.

The source further said senior police officers acted against the officials only after the chief minister took notice of the footage.