Gang of abductors busted

Police recover two abductees, stolen vehicles, mobile phones and cash

RAWALPINDI:

Rawalpindi Police claimed on Sunday to have arrested five suspects and rescued two abducted men within 24 hours after dismantling a gang allegedly involved in kidnapping motorists and snatching vehicles and mobile phones near a petrol station close to the New Islamabad International Airport.

According to police, the case came to light after Farhan, a resident of Attock, reported that he was in Islamabad's E-11 sector when he received a telephone call from his friend, Fahad, who said he had run out of fuel after dropping someone at the airport and requested assistance. Farhan said he drove to the airport in a rented vehicle and found Fahad, along with Anwar Ali, Nauman Ali and others, waiting in the parking area. He towed Fahad's vehicle from the airport car park to a nearby petrol station.

While they were at the petrol station, four vehicles carrying unidentified men arrived. According to the complainant, the newcomers had come to meet Fahad and another man identified as Bhatti. During the meeting, an argument broke out, after which the suspects allegedly snatched the keys to both vehicles, along with mobile phones and cash belonging to Farhan, Sanaullah, Aamir and others.

The suspects then allegedly forced Fahad, Bhatti, Sanaullah, Anwar Ali, Nauman Ali and Talha into their vehicles before fleeing the scene.

Farhan told police that his vehicle was fitted with a tracking device, enabling him to disable it remotely immediately after the incident. Acting on the information, Airport Police launched a swift operation.

A police spokesperson said officers arrested five alleged kidnappers within 24 hours, rescued two abductees safely and recovered two vehicles, four mobile phones allegedly snatched from the victims, and cash.

According to the spokesperson, the suspects had allegedly abducted the victims following a dispute over vehicle transactions and transported them, along with one of the vehicles, to Lahore.

Police said further investigation is under way. Preliminary inquiries suggest the incident stemmed from a dispute relating to the vehicle trade.