JHANG, Jan 24: An abductee in police custody was saved from being kidnapped again by 15 armed men on Saturday by an ASI, three constables and a lady constable at the main gate of the local sessions court.

The Qadirpur police had registered a hudood case against Dr Yousafullah, his wife Dr Irshad Naz, both practising in Quetta, SI Mohibullah of Quetta police and Habibullah for abducting Nazia Bibi of Turbat Haji Shah village. All the accused got interim bail before arrest from a local court.

On Saturday, they appeared before court to get their interim bail confirmed. The abductee and investigating officer ASI Nasir Ali also appeared before court. The judge adjourned the bail petition hearing and directed the IQ to produce the abductee in the court of an area magistrate for getting her statement. The judge also directed the IQ to finalize the investigation before the next date of hearing.

The ASI along with lady constable Rani Bibi and three constables were escorting the abductee to the area magistrate court in the adjoining compound when they were attacked by 15 people, including four women. Some of the attackers grappled with the policemen in their effort to catch hold of the abductee and bundling her into a wagon parked nearby. But the ASI offered stiff resistance and was also joined by some other constables already present there in connection with different cases.

The armed assailants, all of whom were abductee's relatives, also resorted to aerial firing to harass the policemen. Those indulged in firing were later identified as Ashiq Ali and Muhammad Khan. After failing in their attempt, the assailants hurried back to their vehicle and fled.

Kotwali police have registered a case and arrested two accused women.

Meanwhile, Faisalabad Range DIG and Jhang DPO Khadim Hussain Bhatti announced cash awards for ASI Nasir Ali and other policemen.

Three people had been killed in a shootout inside the court room of an additional sessions judge a few months back.