Four cops held for ‘kidnapping cattle trader, extorting ransom’ in Sahiwal

Four cops held for ‘kidnapping cattle trader, extorting ransom’ in Sahiwal

SAHIWAL: The Crime Control Department (CCD) on Wednesday arrested a Punjab police head constable, a constable, and two CCD constables for their alleged involvement in the kidnapping of a livestock trader for ransom at 87/9-L village over a fortnight ago. The officials had allegedly released the trader after extorting Rs660,000 as ransom from his relatives on Tuesday night. According to CCD sources, Muhammad Hussain, a cattle trader from Chak 87/9-L, was allegedly kidnapped at gunpoint by the four suspects —Head Constable Ghulam Farid, in charge of prisoners, Sahiwal Teaching Hospital, Constable Zubair Siddiq of Kot Khadim Ali Shah police station, and CCD constables Nadeem and Tahir Iqbal – on August 21, 2026. As per the FIR, Hussain was taken to an unknown location, confined in a room, and robbed of Rs260,000 cash, along with his mobile phone. The FIR states that the kidnappers demanded an additional Rs4 million ransom for releasing Hussain, who was forced to call his cousin Qadir Hussain to arrange the ransom amount. It says Qadir borrowed Rs400,000 from his cousin Ghazanfer Ali and delivered the amount to the suspects near Fateh Sher Colony. The suspects told Qadir to keep his mouth shut about the matter and compelled Hussain to record a false video statement, claiming that he had been detained by police while shopping and was released after an inquiry. However, after being freed, Hussain reported the matter to the police, who detected all the suspects. On Hussain’s complaint, Sahiwal CCD registered a case (No 100/26) under sections 365-A of the Pakistan Penal Code and 155-C of the Police Order-2002 against the four suspects. The CCD sources say that all the suspects have been arrested, while police have launched further investigations into the matter. SUSPECT INJURED: Bahadur Shah police claimed to have arrested an injured “dacoit” after an alleged encounter near Yousaf Chowk, while his companion managed to escape, on Tuesday night. According to police sources, Inspector Zamimur Rehman was on routine patrol, along with his team near Yousaf Chowk on New Faisalabad Road, when they signaled two suspects riding a motorcycle to stop for checking. However, instead of stopping, the suspects opened fire, which was returned by the police. After the exchange of fire, the police found a suspect, identified as Sadiq Ahmed, a resident of 129/9-L village, lying severelyinjured. His accomplice managed to escape in the darkness. The police arrested the suspect, who is an absconder in a murder and dacoity case (No 111/2023) registered at the Bahadur Shah police station. A motorcycle and a gun were recovered from the injured suspect, who was shifted to the hospital. The police registered a case underSections 324, 186, and 353 of the PPC and Section 13-A-2of the Arms Ordinance, on the complaint of Inspector Zamimur Rehman. Published in Dawn, September 10th, 2026