12 ‘treasure-hunters’ held for desecrating shrine

Police register case against suspects under Antiquities Act and recover equipment, tools


Yawar Hayat July 17, 2021

HARIPUR:

The locals living near Ghori Wala Baba shrine caught 12 men who were digging around the grave of a local saint to discover hidden treasure during late hours.

The police have registered a case against the suspects under Antiquities Act and recovered equipment and tools used in the crime from their possession.

According to the police, some persons were digging near the grave of Ghori Wali Baba shrine in Dibba Katli area of Haripur. A resident of the area, identified as Muhammad Rizwan, spotted them and informed other residents. The locals gathered and caught the diggers and informed the police. The police reached the site and apprehended them and seized their tools and equipment.

It was learnt during an investigation that the suspects had been digging some old graves in different shrines for a long in search of treasure. The suspects were identified as Aurangzeb and Jahanzaib who are brothers, Naeem, Wasif, Yasir, Mehmood, Azharuddin, Muhammad Nawaz, Zawar Shah, Majad Manzoor, Muhammad Abdullah and Muhammad Ameen.

The police seized weapons, ammunition, camera, USB device, axes, shovels, ropes, torch, and a machine used in searching. The police registered a case against the diggers under the Antiquities Act under which sections pertaining to the desecration of a grave have also been incorporated.

The police officials said that the suspects hail from Mohmand Agency, Kohistan, Hazru, Attock, and Haripur. They are to be presented soon before court.

Earlier, the police arrested three people from Kot Najeebullah of Haripur area for excavating treasure nearly three months ago. The police had also recovered precious monuments from their houses after raids.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 17th, 2021.

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