Rawalpindi mob lynching case: new torture details

Rawalpindi police and hospital sources say new details have surfaced in the Dhamial double murder case, including allegations that Zain Shah was tortured, dragged and lynched by a mob. Eight suspects have been detained, while police are considering adding terrorism charges.

RAWALPINDI: More details have emerged in the double murder case reported in the Pir Mehr Ali Shah Town area within the limits of Dhamial police station, where police say a man was tortured and lynched by a mob after being accused of killing another person during a dispute.

According to Rawalpindi police and hospital sources, the incident followed an argument between two groups over a transaction dispute on May 8. During the clash, a man identified as Siraj Mehsud was killed in a shooting. Police said an enraged mob then targeted Zain Shah, accusing him of shooting Mehsud.

However, police investigation has found that the bullet that struck Siraj Mehsud was not fired by Zain Shah, according to police sources.

Mob attack and torture allegations

Police sources said a video of the shooting has surfaced on social media, and the footage also shows the accused assaulting Zain Shah. They said that after the shooting, a group of around 30 people entered Zain Shah’s house and beat him in front of his mother and other women present there.

The investigation, according to police sources, found that the victim was dragged with a noose tied around his neck. The post-mortem report also confirmed injuries consistent with dragging and signs of severe torture, including burn marks on his legs.

Police sources further said the accused took Zain Shah away on a motorcycle and later desecrated his body after his death.

Arrests and legal action

Since the incident, police have detained eight people on charges related to torture and murder. Police said other principal suspects are still at large and raids are under way in different areas to arrest them.

Investigators have also begun consultations on adding terrorism-related provisions to the case, including Section 11-WW of the Terrorism Act.

At the same time, police are gathering further evidence, including videos of the incident that are being uploaded on social media.

The case centres on the deaths of Siraj Mehsud, who was killed in the initial gunfire during the dispute, and Zain Shah, who was later allegedly subjected to public lynching and torture by the mob.