Young girl abducted at gunpoint recovered from Hangu, three arrested

Charsadda police on Sunday claimed to have safely recovered a minor girl who was allegedly abducted at gunpoint and arrested three suspects, including a woman, in connection with the incident. District Police Officer (DPO) Charsadda Rifatullah Khan told a press conference at the City Police Station that Sarderheri police received information on Sept 10 about the abduction of a 15- to 16-year-old girl at gunpoint. A case was registered and an investigation launched immediately. Upon learning of the incident, the DPO constituted five special teams to ensure the safe recovery of the girl and personally supervised their operations. The teams included SP Investigation Charsadda Alamzeb Khan, DSP Sarderheri Bilal Haleem, SHO Sarderheri Yasin Khan, CIO Sarderheri and other police officers. Also Read: 'Abducted' minor girl recovered The police teams were dispatched to different areas. One team was sent to Mardan, another to Rawalpindi and Gujar Khan, a third to Peshawar, while the fourth team conducted operations in Tall, Doaba and Hangu. The fifth team was assigned technical duties and obtained data and call detail records (CDRs) of more than 100 mobile numbers, which were analysed in detail. According to the DPO, the initial investigation revealed that the incident had occurred against the backdrop of a dispute between the two families over a marriage proposal. Police said the suspects had initially sought the girl’s hand in marriage, but after their proposal was rejected, they allegedly abducted her from her home at gunpoint. Charsadda police traced the girl using technology, continuous pursuit, and a coordinated strategy, and eventually recovered her safely from Hangu district. Suspects, including a woman, were arrested during the operation. The two male suspects were identified as Shaukat, son of Ayaz, and Riaz, son of Khanzada. Further investigation of the arrested suspects is under way. Speaking on the occasion, DPO Rifatullah said Charsadda police were taking all possible measures to protect the lives, dignity and honour of the public, particularly women. He said those involved in any crime would be dealt with strictly in accordance with the law and that no compromise would be made on the protection of citizens.