RAWALPINDI: Three university students who were enjoying a leisurely stroll at a hiking trail near a police rest house at Kashmir Point in Murree were taken hostage by a lone gunman who robbed them of their mobile phones and Rs13,000 in cash.

One of the girls whom the gunman had kept as a hostage to extort more money from the trio claimed she had been assaulted by the suspect.

The incident happened at about 7pm on Sunday when a gunman appeared out of nowhere, took the three girls hostage, and forced them towards the forest.

According to sources, the gunman after taking their mobile phones and cash sent two girls to withdraw Rs20,000 from an ATM and kept their friend hostage.

Suspect injures policeman, escapes with looted money, cell phones; one girl ‘assaulted’

Instead of going to the ATM, the girls went to the ASP office for help. The police promptly moved and District Police Officer Murree Asif Amin Awan constituted a team to track down the culprit and for the safe release of the hostage.

Upon seeing the police, the gunman opened fire injuring a constable. The injured policeman identified as Wajid was shifted to Tehsil Headquarters Hospital Murree and then to a hospital in Rawalpindi. The girl was subsequently released and the gunman taking advantage of the darkness managed to flee.

The student taken hostage is a resident of Wah Cantt.

In her statement to the police, she claimed she had been subjected to assault by the unknown person.

When Station House Officer Sub-inspector Rafique was contacted to ask about the medical report of the victim, he said, “The girl’s medical was conducted and the report turned out to be negative.”

The FIR registered by the police, however, presented a different version of events that transpired on Sunday evening.

The case registered on the statement of Atif Fida, in-charge of the police chowki, contained sections pertaining to robbery, ‘attempt to kill, assault criminal force to woman with intent to outrage her modesty’.

According to the FIR, the police team was on patrol at a hiking track near Kashmir Point at about 6:45pm when they heard screaming of women from the jungle. The police with arranged lighting moved ahead and saw a young skinny boy clad in a blue salwar kameez and black jacket, with small moustaches, carrying a 30-bore pistol.

Three girls were also present near him.

The official said in the FIR that on seeing the police party, the gunman opened fire on the police which resulted in the injuries to Wajid Hussain. He said in the FIR that the girls in their statement told the police that they were taking photographs when a young boy threatened them at gunpoint and snatched three mobile phones and Rs13,000. One of the girls claimed she was assaulted by the suspect with intent to outrage her modesty, the FIR added.

Later, the girl who was held hostage by the accused was sent to hospital for treatment and medical examination with lady constables. Despite a lapse of 24 hours, the police were unable to trace the culprit. DPO Asif Amin Awan did not respond to Dawn queries despite multiple attempts.

Published in Dawn, September 24th, 2024