Custodial' death sparks torture allegations

Police deny torture, claim fatal heart attack en route

HARIPUR/ISLAMABAD:

An accused died following an alleged police torture in Khanpur, sources said on Saturday.

Police, however, claimed that the suspect was injured during a police encounter and suffered a fatal heart attack while being transported to the hospital.

According to police sources, the incident surfaced at Khanpur Police Station in Haripur, where a detained and injured suspect reportedly died in custody.

The deceased was identified as Riaz, son of Allah Dad. The police claimed that he had sustained a gunshot wound to the leg during an encounter.

Officials further stated that Khanpur Police, in a successful operation, apprehended the proclaimed offender wanted in the Sanjiala murder case while he was injured.

Another accomplice was also taken into custody. During the operation, two .30-bore pistols along with ammunition were recovered from the suspects.

Riaz, a resident of Sanjiala, was accused of killing a man named Riaz, son of Abdul Sattar, over a land dispute on March 8, 2026.

The case (FIR No 176 dated 08.03.2026) was registered under Sections 302/34 of the Pakistan Penal Code (PPC) at Khanpur Police Station.

According to police, Khanpur SHO Ijaz Ali, under the supervision of Khanpur DSP Raja Muhammad Bashir, was present in the area with a police contingent when they received information that the wanted suspect, along with his accomplices, was present on Kahdo Road near a graveyard. Upon reaching the spot, the suspects allegedly opened fire on the police, prompting a retaliatory response. As a result, the proclaimed offender Riaz was injured and arrested, while his accomplice, Arshad Mehmood, son of Sarwar, a resident of Panjoo, was also taken into custody.

Their third accomplice managed to escape under the cover of darkness, and a search operation is currently underway for his arrest.

The injured suspect was immediately shifted to the Tehsil Headquarters Hospital, Khanpur, for medical treatment. However, according to police officials, he died of a heart attack on the way to the hospital.

Police authorities stated that such operations will continue without interruption to maintain law and order in the area, and further investigation into the case is ongoing.