Cop caught red-handed in kidnapping case

A member of Islamabad police was arrested for allegedly kidnapping a citizen in Rawalpindi and demanding ransom for his release while his accomplices, reportedly officials of twin cities' police fled the scene after releasing the abductees.

According to sources, the incident took place when permit-holding individuals, including Javed Masih, exited a private bar in Rawalpindi with legally acquired liquor.

They were stopped by police in the jurisdiction of the Civil Lines police station. Despite showing valid permits and documentation, the police took them in their own vehicle to an unknown location, they said.

Family members of the abductees, upon realising their sudden disappearance, contacted Police Emergency 15 and the IG Complaint Cell.

They also approached the Excise, Taxation and Narcotics Control Office in Rawalpindi.

Director excise ordered an immediate investigation led by a female inspector and the case was escalated to the CPO Rawalpindi.

During this time, one of the kidnappers contacted a victim's son using the victim's own phone, demanding Rs300,000 for release.

Authorities staged a sting operation, pretending to agree to the ransom deal.

The abductors kept changing locations, from PWD Islamabad to Scheme-3 and finally to Gulzar-e-Quaid, before instructing the victim's son to meet on Airport Road.

A man arrived to collect the ransom, but was apprehended on the spot by police and excise teams, along with the victim's relatives.

The suspect was armed and identified himself as Ijaz, a member of Islamabad Police's Dolphin Force.

Ijaz revealed the involvement of another police officer named Arsalan from Rawalpindi's Sadiqabad police station and a broker named Kashif, who posed as an ASI in plain clothes. As Ijaz was apprehended, three other suspects fled, leaving the abductees and their belongings behind.

A spokesperson stated that the CPO took notice of the case and ordered the registration of FIR. Charges include illegal detention, extortion and unlawful possession of arms. Officer Arsalan has been arrested, suspended, and is facing departmental action.