Gunmen free murder suspect from custody

A murder suspect was set free from police custody by his accomplices at gunpoint in the federal capital.

According to police sources, this was the second incident where a suspect was liberated from police custody, revealing the Islamabad police’s apparent inability to prevent such incidents.

Sources revealed that the suspect named Arif was wanted in the Section 302 case and was present in Adiala Jail and was being taken to court to get remand by the Tarnol police on account of a robbery case.

On their way, the police encountered unidentified men said to be his accomplices who opened fire and set Arif free from their custody. The police personnel managed to stay safe during this encounter, however, Arif was able to escape their custody. The police found two SMG shells and four pistol shells from the crime scene.

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Despite efforts, Islamabad police have failed to locate the whereabouts of the absconding suspect.

On the other hand, instances of looting persist unabated in Islamabad, even extending to government officials. The Director-General (DG) of Customs in Islamabad fell victim to a robbery recently.

The Ramna police responded by initiating a case based on a complaint filed by the DG Customs driver. According to the driver’s account in the case report, the driver recounted parking the vehicle along the roadside in Sector G11/3 while accompanying the DG Customs official who went for a jog.

Two unidentified motorcyclists accosted him and forcibly took away his phone.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 11^th, 2023.