Villagers set dogs on cops during raid in Punjab

A police raid to arrest a suspect involved in electricity theft turned violent in Mamunkanjan when villagers attacked a police team, set dogs on them and injured three officers, including an assistant sub-inspector.

Police said ASI Ahmed Ali led a raid in Chak 502-GB to arrest Sikandar, son of Noor Ahmed, nominated in an electricity theft case.

The suspect was arrested outside his house, but he raised an alarm, prompting dozens of villagers to gather at the scene.

Police said at least 41 people, including 10 women, attacked the police party with sticks, clubs and axes, and unleashed their pet dogs on the officers. The assailants forcibly freed the arrested suspect and severely beat ASI Ahmed Ali, Constable Zakaria and Constable Ghulam Farid, leaving them injured. The attackers also tore their uniforms and snatched cash and mobile phones.

Upon receiving information, SHO Mamunkanjan and a heavy police contingent reached the spot and rescued the injured officers.

A case has been registered against 41 accused, including 10 women, under sections 353, 382, 186, 148 and 149 of the Pakistan Penal Code, and raids are under way to arrest them.

51 drug peddlers arrested

In a separate development, Faisalabad police arrested 51 alleged drug dealers, including two women, during an ongoing anti-narcotics campaign and recovered a large quantity of drugs and liquor.

Police said 24 kilograms of hashish, 15 kilograms of heroin, over two kilograms of bhang, 50 grams of ice and 800 litres of liquor were seized during raids across the district. Several suspects were allegedly involved in supplying drugs to college and school students.

Cases have been registered against all arrested suspects, while investigations are under way to trace their supply networks.