Murder suspect drugs cops, escapes custody

Haripur police arrest two officials, launch manhunt for suspect

ABBOTTABAD: A suspected murderer managed to drug and dodge his police escort before escaping near Havelian.

According to reports, Meherban Siddique, who is suspected of killing Haripur Jail official Sajid Mahmood at the Haripur Bus Stand in 2015, was being taken to a local court for the hearing of his case in Baldher near Havelian.



On the way there, the police officials along with Siddique stopped for some refreshments. Siddique managed to slip intoxicant into the food of his captors. Once the police officials reportedly started feeling the effects of the drug, Siddique slipped his restraints and seized the gun of one of the officers.

Now armed, Siddique tried to flee, shooting as he did so. The police officials, though, were unable to stop the suspect.



Later, Haripur police arrested the two cops and booked them for negligence. A search for the escaped suspect was also launched in the area.

Siddique had been apprehended by the Crime Investigation Agency [CIA] after an 11-month intense manhunt. After completing their investigations, Siddique had been transferred to the Mansehra Jail in judicial custody for trial.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 14^th, 2017.