Police unit denies custody of ex-cop

The Organised Crime Unit (OCU) has denied that a former inspector facing cases of police encounters, Abid Boxer, is in its custody.

“If anyone has information that he is with the CIA police, he can seek to get access to him through a bailiff," OCU DIG Liaqat Ali Malik said in reply to a question during a press conference.

The former policeman’s wife Fatima Abid has filed a petition before the Lahore High Court for his recovery. The court has asked the CCPO of Lahore to appear in the case on Thursday.

A police team had earlier conducted a raid at the home of Abid, a proclaimed offender, after receiving information about his presence there. However, he had allegedly offered resistance along with his security guards and fled after snatching a rifle.

The police OCU has also asked citizens to approach it regarding complaints against Abid of land grabbing and extortion. The announcements were made by loudspeakers in mosques.

"Anyone who fell victim to the injustice incurred by Boxer could approach the police. They will be provided protection," police officials declared during the announcements.

Similar announcements from mosques had been made last year against some suspects after a crackdown had been launched against them.

Also read: Man accused of drowning own children killed in police encounter

Liaqat said the Anti-Vehicle Lifting Staff (AVLS) in Saddar police division had recovered 150 stolen vehicles worth over Rs80 million and arrested 17 suspected motorbike and car thieves. He said Muhammad Aqeel, Ali Akbar, Ali Hasnain, Muhammad Nauman, Naseeb Ali, Hafeez, Muzzamil, Asif, Haider, Salman, Adil, Junaid, Muhammad Bilal, Riaz, Abdullah, Muhammad Imran and Muhammad Abbass had been arrested.

The police seized four rifles, six pistols, laptops and mobile phones from the suspects.

The official said the suspects sold stolen vehicles in other districts and provinces after taking them away at gunpoint.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 19^th, 2023.