Abbottabad Police Arrest Three in Gang‑Rape Case

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Police in Abbottabad have arrested three men in connection with the alleged gang-rape of a woman in the Bakot area, following widespread public attention on social media platforms including Facebook and TikTok. The arrests were made after a video and posts about the incident circulated online, prompting swift action from local authorities.

According to police reports, the victim, a resident of Rawalpindi, was reportedly brought to Bakot by one of the suspects in his vehicle. She was taken to a private residence where the three suspects allegedly assaulted her consecutively. The homeowner, believed to be the ringleader, was the first to be apprehended and reportedly confessed to the crime during preliminary questioning. He also provided the identities of the two other men involved.

Abbottabad District Police Officer (DPO) Umar Tufail directed an immediate response once the case came to light on social media. The suspects, identified as Ali, Haseeb, and Hamza, were arrested during a targeted operation by Bakot police under DPO Tufail’s supervision.

A First Information Report (FIR) was filed at the Bakot police station under Sections 375A (rape), 376 (punishment for rape), and 34 (common intention) of the Pakistan Penal Code. Authorities stated that the victim is currently receiving medical care and counseling support.

To ensure a thorough and transparent investigation, DPO Tufail has constituted a special team led by Superintendent of Police (SP) Muhammad Ishtiaq. The team also includes Deputy Superintendents of Police (DSPs) Imtiaz Khan and Saeed Yadoon. Officials confirmed that forensic evidence is being collected and will be submitted for laboratory analysis as part of the ongoing inquiry.

Pakistan’s anti-rape legislation, including amendments made under the Anti-Rape (Investigation and Trial) Act, 2021, prescribes severe penalties for gang-rape, including life imprisonment or the death penalty. Legal experts say the law also mandates the use of DNA evidence and the protection of victims’ identities during trial.

The case has drawn attention amid a series of gender-based violence incidents reported across Pakistan. In Karachi, recent cases in Lyari and Ittehad Town involving sexual assault and domestic violence have sparked renewed public demand for stronger institutional accountability and victim protection.

Authorities in Abbottabad have assured the public that justice will be pursued and that all procedures will follow due legal process.