Prime suspect of Hafizabad gang-rape case killed in alleged police encounter

The prime suspect, involved in gang-raping a woman in front of her husband in Hafizabad was reportedly killed in an alleged police encounter after being shot by his accomplices.

The police said a special team from the Crime Control Department (CCD) Hafizabad conducted a raid near Mangat Uncha to arrest the suspects involved in the heinous crime. 

Upon police arrival, both parties met with heavy gunfire, resulting in Khawar, the main suspect, being critically injured by bullets fired by his accomplices. 

The police said he later succumbed to his injuries while being transported to the hospital while the remaining suspects managed to flee the scene.

Read: 17-year-old girl gang raped during robbery in Punjab

Kassoki police registered a case based on a complaint by CCD Sub-Inspector Ali Hassan, the FIR includes charges of murder, attempted murder, obstruction of official duties, conspiracy, and possession of illegal weapons.

Police said that a manhunt was underway to apprehend the absconding suspects. 

The district administration has assured complete protection to the victim and her husband, emphasising that the investigation was being carried out transparently and under top-level supervision.

Officials reiterated that all resources were being mobilised to ensure justice for the victims and bring all involved perpetrators to account.

According to the FIR, the incident occurred around 7 pm on April 25. The complainant and his wife had stopped their motorcycle, and when she dismounted, a man approached, verbally abused, and slapped them.

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Subsequently, a group of armed men arrived and forcibly took the couple to an isolated area near a graveyard, where they were subjected to physical violence, rape, and robbery.

"Both of us were tied up, and I was made to lie on the ground while my wife was gang-raped in front of me. I kept pleading the attackers," the complainant stated.

The assailants stole two mobile phones, gold, and Rs2,500 in cash and forced the couple to engage in intercourse with each other at gunpoint and blackmailed us by recording the act.

"We delayed reporting the incident because the assailants gave threats to us if we pursued legal action or sought medical attention,” the victim said addign that the perpetrators also uploaded the video of the incident on the internet.