Police thwart kidnapping bid

Rescue hostage, arrest three suspects and recover Rs10m ransom money

RAWALPINDI:

In a significant breakthrough, Rawalpindi police thwarted a kidnapping for ransom plan and arrested three suspects during an exchange of ransom money.

They recovered weapons, a vehicle, and a substantial ransom amount of Rs10 million, while ensuring the safe rescue of the hostage.

According to the police, Muhammad Ali Qasim informed them about the abduction of his father, Qasim Ishaq, 55, near the Harley Street Mosque on May 8. The kidnappers, former employees of a government agency, demanded a ransom of Rs15 to Rs20 million, later settling for Rs13.6 million, from the victim's wife, the owner of a private hospital on Harley Street.

Taking swift action, CPO Rawalpindi Khalid Hamdani formed a Joint Investigation Team (JIT) led by SSP Operation Hafiz Kamran Asghar and SSP Investigation Zunaira Azfar, comprising SP Organised Crime, SHO Westridge Zahid Zahoor, and SHO R A Bazar Muhammad Tariq, with IT department experts.

The police tracked and cornered the suspects near Dhoke Syedan during the ransom exchange. Upon confrontation, the suspects opened fire, resulting in three of them sustaining injuries from their gunfire. However, the police arrested the injured suspects, identified as Saeed, Shahzad, and Sarfaraz, while others managed to flee.

The police recovered ransom money Rs10 million, along with a vehicle and weapons used in the crime. It was revealed that the suspects were previously employed at a government institution and were dismissed from their jobs. A manhunt has been launched to apprehend the remaining fugitive accomplices.

CPO Rawalpindi Khalid Hamdani affirmed that those threatening public safety will be brought to justice, underscoring the importance of evidence in prosecuting the accused.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 17^th, 2024.