Cops booked for assaulting relatives of fire victims

Seven officers named in FIR; check post in-charge arrested

HARIPUR:

A First Information Report (FIR) has been registered against seven police personnel, including the in-charge of the Farooqi Check Post, for allegedly assaulting and injuring relatives of a family who perished in the Hattar fire incident.

Acting on the orders of the Haripur District Police Officer (DPO), the post in-charge, Head Constable Yousaf, was arrested. During the course of events, a video statement attributed to him surfaced on social media. However, police authorities have refuted claims that he absconded, clarifying that the video was recorded prior to his arrest and that he is currently in judicial custody.

The incident relates to the aftermath of a gas pipeline explosion in Hattar, which resulted in a fire that claimed the lives of eight individuals.

Allegations have emerged that police personnel used excessive force against the victims' relatives. A video circulating online purportedly shows Yousaf declaring himself innocent while placing responsibility on senior officers.

A police spokesperson said that Yousaf was taken into custody under FIR No 208, registered under Sections 337, 148, and 149 of the Pakistan Penal Code (PPC).

He is accused of subjecting Ahmed Ali, son of Nazakat Ali and a resident of Labour Colony, Hattar—uncle of the deceased children—to severe assault, leaving him seriously injured.

It is further alleged that he was taken to the police station in a police vehicle and later sent home under public pressure.

Police officials confirmed that Yousaf has been presented before a senior civil judge in Haripur and granted judicial remand.

Authorities reiterated that the viral video statement was recorded prior to his arrest. In response to questions regarding the legality of circulating such statements, police emphasised that the law applies equally to all, and that due process has been followed, with a formal FIR registered and the accused taken into custody accordingly.