Hafizabad gang-rape case accused killed in police encounter

HAFIZABAD: The main accused wanted for a gruesome rape of a woman in Hafizabad district of Punjab was killed in an alleged police encounter, police said on Thursday.

Police on Tuesday launched raids to arrest eight suspects who allegedly abducted a couple in Hafizabad and subjected them to physical and sexual assault on April 25 under the jurisdiction of Kassoki police station.

According to the police, a team of the Crime Control Department (CCD) Hafizabad raided near Mangat Uncha and took one of the arrested accused, Khawar Ansari, to identify and arrest his accomplice.

However, upon reaching, the police team came under fire from unidentified men attempting to rescue the detained accused, which led to a gun battle.

The accused Khawar got injured by the fire of his accomplices and succumbed to injuries while being shifted to the hospital, while his other accomplices escaped.

Kassoki police have registered a case on the complaint of CCD Sub-Inspector Ali Hassan, which includes provisions of murder, attempt to murder, interference in the government, obstruction of official business, common intention, and illegal arms.

Police officials said that raids are underway to find the absconding accused, while the district administration has assured full protection to the affected couple.

Earlier on June 3, the first information report (FIR) was filed by the victim’s husband. It stated the incident occurred on April 25, around 7 pm, when the complainant and his wife were on a motorcycle when they stopped at a deserted location.

As the wife got off the motorcycle, a man came towards them who verbally abused and hit her, it stated.

A group of armed men later arrived and took the couple to a secluded place near a graveyard and subjected them to physical violence, sexual assault, and robbery. The suspects also filmed the assault and later uploaded the video to the internet.

The complainant said in the FIR, “We were both tied up and they made me lie down on the ground,” adding that his wife was gang-raped despite my repeatedly pleading with the suspects to stop.