Man shot during alleged kidnapping bid

Incident stems from dispute involving a man trying to forcibly marry a woman

RAWALPINDI:

A motorcycle rider was seriously wounded after coming under gunfire during an alleged attempted abduction in the jurisdiction of Sadiqabad Police Station, where a man reportedly sought to forcibly marry a young woman despite her repeated refusal.

A video circulating from the hospital has sparked allegations that members of the Dolphin Force opened fire during the incident, although authorities have yet to issue an official statement regarding the claims.

According to police, the incident occurred late on the night of May 26 when complainant, Rabia Tabassum, who stated that her husband had passed away 15 days earlier, was travelling to her village with her son Shahroz, her daughter and other family members in a vehicle.

She alleged that a man identified as Arsalan, accompanied by two unidentified associates on a motorcycle, intercepted their vehicle. Arsalan and one accomplice allegedly dismounted while armed, while the third individual remained seated on the motorcycle.

Rabia told police that Arsalan forcibly grabbed her daughter's hand and pulled her from the vehicle, declaring that he intended to take her with him. He then allegedly opened fire. During the commotion, the family raised the alarm.

Police said that personnel from the Dolphin Force arrived at the scene, prompting Arsalan to release the woman and continue firing. During the exchange of gunfire, a motorcycle rider later identified as Aalian sustained multiple gunshot wounds and was critically injured.

Arsalan and an unidentified accomplice subsequently fled the scene while continuing to fire shots, police said.

Investigators said that the dispute stemmed from a previous incident approximately one year ago, when Arsalan allegedly shot and injured the same woman after she refused his marriage proposal.

A case had been registered at Sadiqabad Police Station, although the matter was later settled through a reconciliation agreement.

According to the complainant, Arsalan had continued to send threatening messages pressuring her daughter to marry him. She maintained that her daughter consistently rejected the proposal, leading to the alleged abduction attempt and subsequent shooting in which Aalian was seriously wounded.

Police later learned that Arsalan himself had also sustained injuries during the exchange of fire. A case has been registered and an investigation is under way.

Meanwhile, a video statement recorded by the injured Aalian has circulated widely on social media. In response, Rawalpindi Police said that he had been wounded by gunfire allegedly fired by the suspects.

Separately, Rawalpindi City Police Officer (CPO) Khalid Hamdani has ordered a transparent inquiry into the incident. Charge sheets have been issued to the Dolphin Force personnel involved, and a departmental investigation has been launched.