Mob takes cops hostage during child recovery raid in Pakistan, dramatic rescue follows

According to a report by Dawn News, Muhammad Latif’s wife had remarried and left their son, Muhammad Hasan, in the custody of her father, Faqir Muhammad, and brothers Mushtaq and Ashfaq. Despite repeated requests by Latif to have his son returned, the in-laws allegedly refused and threatened him.

Latif subsequently filed a writ petition before Additional District and Sessions Judge Muhammad Shafiq in Chichawatni, seeking custody of his son. The court issued recovery warrants and directed the Kasowal Police to retrieve the child.

A five-member police team, led by Assistant Sub-Inspector Tahir Masood, conducted a raid at Mushtaq’s residence in Iqbalnagar on Burewala Road. The team included constables Muhammad Asif, Naeem Iqbal, Hifza Ghaffar, and a driver.

After the woman constable presented the court warrant, Mushtaq, his brother Ashfaq, wife Akbari Bibi, and son Sheraz allegedly became agitated. Soon, a group of around 20 people, armed with sticks and batons, gathered at the scene, raising slogans against the police.

Mushtaq reportedly tore up the court order and refused to hand over the child. The mob then attacked the police team, held them hostage, and snatched their mobile phones and cash.

Following an alert from a local resident, Kasowal Police rushed reinforcements, including Elite Force personnel, to the spot and dispersed the mob, securing the release of the detained officers.

Police said four individuals have been arrested so far. The child has also been safely recovered.

A case has been registered against four identified suspects and 20 unidentified individuals under multiple sections of the Pakistan Penal Code, including 382, 353, 173, 342, 148, and 149, on the complaint of ASI Tahir Masood, the report added.