Inquiry into thrashing of cops ordered

NOWSHERA: Four officials of the National Highway and Motorway Police (NHMP) were allegedly roughed up by personnel of the Pakistan Army travelling in two vehicles near the Jehangira Town on the Grand Trunk Road, an official said on Saturday.

NHMP Deputy Superintendent Jan Bahadur told reporters that officials of the Motorway Police signaled two speeding cars to stop near Jehangira, but they sped away.

He said the vehicles were chased and those seated in them, who introduced themselves as officials of the security forces, were stopped near Khairabad.

He said those travelling in the two vehicles were in civvies and they called their friends to reach the spot.

Jan Bahadur said that personnel of the security forces arrived there in four vehicles and roughed up the officials of the Motorway Police.

He said the personnel of the security forces were also accompanied by two army majors, who along with the other men severely beat up the officials of the Motorway Police and forcibly took them to the Attock Fort along with their vehicle.

Bahadur complained that the officials of the Motorway Police were kept in illegal detention by the security forces and were released after high-ups held negotiations to secure their release.

The four injured officials of the Motorway Police, including Inspector Mohsin Toru, Head Constables Jalal Shah and Atif Khattak and driver Shah Zeb, were taken to the District Headquarters Hospital in Nowshera.

Atif Khattak, who was injured due to the thrashing by the soldiers, said that Captain Daniyal and Captain Qasim, who were in civvies, were involved in reckless driving and were, therefore, signaled to stop due to violation of traffic rules. 

He added that the two army officers rang up their colleagues and sought their help and soon a number of soldiers in four vehicles reached the spot and started beating him and his NHMP colleagues. 

When contacted, Colonel Shahid of the Pakistan Army told this scribe that an inquiry had been launched into the matter. He said those found guilty would be punished as per the law