Lahore: DIG Operations Lahore Faisal Kamran has said that the police have made significant progress in the kidnapping case of two foreign women with the help of modern technology, safe city cameras and intelligence information and have arrested four suspects, while the affected women were safely recovered and sent to their homeland after completing legal proceedings.
Addressing a press conference in Lahore, Faisal Kamran said that both the foreign women were kidnapped soon after reaching Lahore on June 29. As soon as the incident was reported, a special investigation team was formed to identify the vehicle used in the kidnapping. During the investigation, it was found out in whose name the vehicle was registered; however, difficulties were faced in the investigation as his mobile phone was switched off in the initial stage.
He said that the police conducted a detailed review of the footage obtained from the Safe City cameras, which provided a complete record of the vehicle’s movements. The evidence showed that the vehicle went towards Sargodha via the motorway, after which raids were conducted there. In addition, operations were also conducted in various areas, including Shahdara and Defence, as a result of which important evidence of the case was collected.
According to the DIG Operations, during the investigation, some suspects came to light from Sargodha and other areas. Four suspects were arrested during the operation on July 2. He said that if a suspect’s connection to an influential figure or political family is revealed, it is necessary to inform the relevant higher officers as per the law; however, this did not affect the investigation procedure.
Faisal Kamran also denied the news that it was being claimed that the foreign women had come forward themselves. According to him, the affected women have clearly confirmed in their statements that they were rescued by the Punjab Police through a successful operation.
He said that during the legal proceedings, attempts were made to contact the duty magistrate, but due to lack of timely contact, the concerned SHO went to the magistrate’s residence, where a minor unpleasant incident occurred, for which he expressed regret and apology.
The DIG further said that the foreign embassy wanted the affected women to be sent back to their homeland as soon as possible, but the police requested that one more day be given to record their statements. He said that the police even offered that, if necessary, the Lahore police would bear the women’s travel expenses.
According to him, both the women were safely sent abroad after the medical examination, statements and other legal requirements were completed. Faisal Kamran said that the first call of kidnapping for ransom was received on July 1, after which raids were conducted at various places. Residents of a house said that some youths were living there on rent, and one of them was said to belong to the family of an important political figure. The police contacted the concerned family to verify this information and took the investigation forward.
He said that with the help of the mobile number provided by the family, the location of the accused was traced, after which all the accused were arrested and presented in court and remanded as per the law.
DIG Operations Lahore said that the case was reported by the father of the foreign woman. He further said that the chief minister of Punjab also took notice of the incident and directed that the investigation be conducted completely on merit and indiscriminate action be taken against anyone found guilty of breaking the law.
According to the police, further investigation of the case is underway, and further legal action will be taken in light of the evidence obtained.
