KASUR: Residents of a border-area village attacked a police party and allegedly got a proclaimed offender released from custody at Sahjra village in Ganda Singh area.

The villagers, who live near the zero line along the Pakistan-India border, some 20 kilometres from here, allegedly injured police officials and tore their uniforms. Police also alleged that the villagers held the officials hostage.

Police registered a case against 35 villagers, 20 of them nominated, under various sections of the Pakistan Penal Code.

Reports said acting on information that PO Shahzad wanted in a case involving the theft of wood from the border area, was hiding in the village, a police team raided his hideout.

The police arrested Shahzad, but, according to police, a group of villagers gathered at the scene, intercepted the team, held the officials hostage and scuffled with them. The suspects allegedly tore the uniforms of Station House Officer Mubashar Ali and constables Muhammad Hussain and Faisal Ali.

Police further claimed that the villagers forcibly took the proclaimed offender from their custody and allowed him to escape.

Police have registered a case against the villagers and are conducting raids for arrests.

Published in Dawn, August 28th, 2026