Police helpline gets fake call of mass-shooting

Prank caller said some unidentified suspects had barged into a private academy, opened fire

RAWALPINDI: A fake distress call on police helpline about a mass-shooting in a private educational institution created panic in Rawalpindi, with police and district administration deploying resources in minutes only to be left red-faced on reaching the site.

Taking notice of this misinformation, Rawalpindi City Police Officer (CPO) Ahsan Younus ordered to the registration of a case against the crank-caller under the Telegraphic Act. He directed the SHO Sadiqabad to trace the phone number and arrest the suspect at the earliest.

Police said a man, who identified himself as Nadeem, called the police helpline 15 from a mobile number and said that some unidentified suspects had barged into a private academy and opened fire. He claimed that several people had been injured in firearm violence. As soon as the information was conveyed, the DC along with a heavy contingent of police and counter-terrorism department (CTD) commandos rushed to the site.

After reaching the location, the officials found the related academy to be in complete peace and calmness and learnt that no such incident had taken place. 

Published in The Express Tribune, February 19^th, 2020.