DNA of three suspects 'matches' evidence in Lahore foreign women assault case

LAHORE: The DNA profiles of three suspects in the case involving the alleged kidnapping and gang rape of two foreign women in Lahore’s Defence area have matched forensic evidence collected during the investigation, investigation and police sources said.

Police had sent DNA samples from eight suspects to a forensic laboratory for cross-matching as part of the inquiry. Three of those samples have now matched the evidence gathered in the case, while the remaining samples are still being examined.

The case concerns two foreign women, one Venezuelan and the other Dutch, who were allegedly tortured and sexually assaulted in Lahore. The matter surfaced after a first information report was registered against five suspects, including Muhammad Raza Dar, who was identified in the report as the grandson of a high-profile political figure. Five suspects, including Dar, are currently on physical remand.

Investigation sources said the main suspect, identified as Nawaz, is among those whose DNA matched the evidence and is at the top of the list of matching profiles. They further alleged that Nawaz was the first to sexually assault one of the women and that other suspects then followed after being encouraged by him. Police sources identified the other two suspects whose DNA reportedly matched as Sajid and Sikandar.

Police account of the case

Speaking at a press conference on Sunday, Lahore DIG Operations Kamran said the two women arrived in Lahore on June 29 and were allegedly abducted shortly afterwards.

He said police began tracing the vehicle involved and reviewed its movement through Safe City cameras. The vehicle was tracked as it travelled on the motorway towards Sargodha, while police also carried out raids in Shahdara and Defence.

Kamran said the first ransom call was received on July 1 from a man identified as Carlos, who informed police that Spanish authorities had also been alerted. He added that the Safe City Authority received a call on the emergency helpline on the same day.

According to the DIG Operations, police arrested four suspects on July 2 after tracing phone numbers, vehicle information and location data. A police officer said the women were later being taken to the airport by suspect Raza Dar when an altercation took place near Bhatta Chowk. The vehicle then crashed, after which the women got out and took shelter in a filter house, where police later recovered them.

Kamran rejected reports suggesting the women had appeared on their own and said the women had told police that they were rescued by Punjab Police.