Dolphin Squad members allegedly assault shopkeeper over extortion demand

Dolphin Squad SP Bilal Zafar took note of the incident and asked a DSP to file a report within 24 hours

LAHORE: Members of Lahore's Dolphin Squad allegedly assaulted a shopkeeper on Sunday after he refused to entertain an extortion demand from the law enforcers.

A short clip from a CCTV camera which is doing the rounds on social media showed two personnel from the squad approaching a small shop and using their batons on the patrons before turning on the shopkeeper.

The video shows the law enforcement personnel grabbing the shopkeeper's arm and trying to pull him over the counter. They can also be seen repeatedly hitting the individual with their batons.

Soon a constable from Punjab Police also joins them and hands them a wooden baton, which they use to continue their assault on the shopkeeper.

Despite a small crowd gathering outside, the men from the Dolphin Squad continued to beat the shopkeeper for what is now being deemed as extortion. Reportedly, he had earlier refused to pay the bribe these men had asked for.

Dolphin Squad SP Bilal Zafar took note of the incident while Naveed and Qamar, the assaulting officers have been taken off duty and asked to report to Dolphin Headquarters.

Dolphin Squad team attacked

Meanwhile, a Dolphin Squad DSP has been asked to conduct an inquiry and submit a report within 24 hours and citizens have been insured of departmental action against the two.

The incident comes a day after a member of the Dolphin Squad shot and killed an innocent woman in Lahore's Nishtar Colony. The victim was identified as Nasreen Waris Maseeh.

Speaking to The Express Tribune, the victim’s husband Waris Maseeh stated that they were on the back to Youhanabad from the Punjab Institute of Cardiology. However, when they were near Bank Stop, Ashiana Road, Dolphin Squad Team No 192 opened fire.

The specialised police force was formed to function as a patrolling wing of the Punjab Police with the help of trainers from Turkey. The squad received modern training, coupled with sophisticated weapons and the latest gadgets. So far despite funneling millions of rupees into the project, the squad has failed to uphold the singular purpose of its creation, protecting the lives and properties of citizens.