One dead as police rescue 22 hostages in Pindi

Police say Abdul Rahim, who was injured in the exchange of fire, has been arrested

One person died and two constables sustained injuries after the Rawalpindi police conducted an operation and rescued a family taken hostage in the Mor Gah neighbourhood on Saturday morning, according to Express News.

The police swung into action and the neighbours nerves were tested after a mentally-challenged person, identified as Abdul Rahim, took 22 members of the family of his in-laws hostage.



Police said firing killed one man Ali Akbar, and injured two police constables.

The hostage-taking continued for six hours. Capital City Police Officer Israr Abbasi said that the rescue operation was delayed at the request of the family. Police said Rahim was arrested after an exchange of fire.

The hostage-taker was injured in the operation. The Express News report added that the injured constables were in stable condition. The police have yet to say what motivated Rahim for the hostage-taking.

A relative told Express News that Rahim, father of six children, is a drug addict and had created troubles for the family in the past. He added that he had recently attempted to commit suicide.