Motorcyclist critically wounded during alleged abduction attempt

RAWALPINDI: A motorcyclist was critically injured in a shooting during what police described as an attempted abduction in the Sadiqabad police limits late on May 26, as a man allegedly tried to forcibly take away a young woman whose marriage proposal had repeatedly been refused.

According to police, complainant Rabia Tabassum told investigators that her husband had died 15 days earlier and that she was travelling to her village with her son Shahroz, her daughter and other family members when their vehicle was intercepted by a man identified as Arsalan and two unidentified associates riding a motorcycle.

Police said Arsalan and one of the accomplices got off the motorcycle while carrying weapons, while the third remained seated on the bike. Rabia alleged that Arsalan grabbed her daughter by the hand and pulled her out of the vehicle, saying that he intended to take her with him. She further told police that he then opened fire, triggering panic at the scene.

Police said Dolphin Force personnel reached the area after the family raised an alarm. According to the police account, Arsalan released the woman after the force arrived but continued firing. During the exchange of gunfire, a passing motorcyclist, later identified as Aalian, was struck by multiple bullets and critically wounded. Police said Arsalan and one unidentified accomplice then fled while continuing to fire.

Prior dispute and investigation

Investigators said the incident was linked to an earlier case from about a year ago in which Arsalan allegedly shot and injured the same woman after she turned down his marriage proposal. Police said a case had been registered at Sadiqabad police station at the time, but the matter was later settled through a reconciliation agreement.

According to the complainant, Arsalan had continued sending threatening messages to pressure her daughter into marriage. She said her daughter kept refusing, which led to the alleged abduction attempt and the shooting in which Aalian was seriously injured.

Police later learned that Arsalan had also been injured in the exchange of fire. A case has been registered and the investigation is in progress.

Video prompts allegations against Dolphin Force

A video statement by the injured Aalian has circulated widely on social media, prompting allegations that members of the Dolphin Force fired the shots that wounded him. Rawalpindi Police, however, said he was hit by gunfire allegedly fired by the suspects.

Separately, Rawalpindi City Police Officer Khalid Hamdani has ordered what police described as a transparent inquiry into the incident. Charge sheets have been issued to the Dolphin Force personnel involved, and a departmental investigation has also been initiated.