SAHIWAL: A mob of around 70 people attacked a police party, held eight cops hostage and freed a robbery suspect at village 186/9-L on Monday night.

The suspect, Tariq Rana, had been arrested by the Dera Rahim police team in connection with a robbery case.

According to eyewitnesses, the mob armed with sticks and bamboo poles assaulted the police officials. They damaged the police van, breaking its headlights and windows, and threw stones at the officials. Two policemen got injured in the scuffle with a mob. The attackers also snatched the officers’ identification cards before locking them in a room belonging to a local landlord, Abdul Khaliq.

The Dera Rahim police registered a case against 75 people, including 25 nominated men and women and 50 unidentified under the 7-Anti-Terrorism Act (ATA) and sections 440, 225, 224, 382, 186, 353, and 324 of the Pakistan Penal Code.

The case was filed on the complaint of ASI Muhammad Yasir, leading the police raiding party.

Reports said Dera Rahim police, acting on a tip-off, raided village 186/9-L to arrest robbery suspect Tariq Rana. The team included ASIs Muhammad Yasir, Muhammad Yousaf, and Tahir Masood, as well as head constable Shahzad, constable Muhammad Ahmed, and driver Zahoor Ahmad. They arrested Tariq, who was playing cards at a village crossing. However, as the police prepared to leave with Tariq in custody, a mob of 75 men, women, and children attacked the police van.

The mob damaged the vehicle, smashing its windows and overpowered the officers, ultimately locking them in a room at Abdul Khaliq’s residence.

The attackers freed Tariq and fled the scene.

Driver Zahoor managed to call for back-up via the emergency helpline (15), prompting the Elite Police Force, led by SI Javed Iqbal, to arrive at the scene.

The Elite Force rescued the trapped officers and safely returned them to the Dera Rahim police station. Following the incident, the police identified and booked several individuals from the village, including Rafaqat, Niaz, Rashid Ali, Abdul Khaliq, Akhtar, Kashif, and Qurban, among others.

Published in Dawn, October 2nd, 2024