Three villagers held for helping suspect escape

Police raided a hideout to nab an accused who was wanted in a criminal case

FAISALABAD: At least three villagers were arrested and more than a dozen were booked for helping a suspect escape from police custody in Faisalabad’s Kanjwani area.

Saddar Pindi Bhatian police told Express News that Sub-Inspector Ashiq Hussain and his team raided a hide-out in Village 623-GB to nab Bahawal Sher who was wanted in a criminal case.

The police party successfully apprehended the culprit. However, while they were returning, more than a dozen villagers, including the suspect’s relatives, attacked the cops.

The villagers assaulted the policemen and managed to free Bahawal from their custody. After the incident, the villagers fled the scene, leaving the cops in an injured condition.  Later, a heavy contingent of police reached the spot and shifted the injured team to a local hospital for medical aid.

Meanwhile, the police claimed to have rounded up three villagers identified as Rab Nawaz, Sarfaraz and Murtaza for attacking the police team and helping the suspect escape. Besides, more than a dozen villagers were also booked for their involvement in the incident.

The police conducted raids to arrest the nominated accused and further investigations were under way.

On March 16, police lodged a case against 31 villagers for taking a raiding police team hostage in Chiniot’s Lalian City.

The police said constables Nausher, Saifullah and others conducted a raid in Bahiwal area to arrest an individual wanted in criminal cases.

When the policemen reached the area, several villagers attacked the officials. The villagers misbehaved with the cops and physically assaulted them. The accused also tore the officials’ uniform.

After some time, a heavy contingent of police reached the spot and recovered the abducted policemen from the custody of the villagers.