In a dramatic rescue operation, Punjab police successfully freed Imran Khan’s lawyer, Intazar Hussain Panjutha, after a shootout with alleged kidnappers in Hassan Abdal.
The incident occurred late Saturday night when Attock police, during a routine check, stopped a vehicle they found suspicious. The police spokesperson reported that the vehicle contained a gang of kidnappers who had taken an individual hostage.
Upon interception, the kidnappers fired indiscriminately at the police, who returned fire, causing the suspects to flee, leaving the abducted individual and the vehicle behind.
The police safely secured the abductee, later identified as PTI founder’s counsel, Panjutha, who had been missing since October 8. The Islamabad High Court had been reviewing his disappearance case.
Just a day before the rescue, the Chief Justice of the Islamabad High Court, Justice Aamer Farooq, addressed the case. The Attorney General of Pakistan, Mansoor Usman Awan, informed the court that they expected to recover Panjutha within 24 hours.
During the session, the Chief Justice stated that if Panjutha were found, no further court appearances would be necessary. Still, failure to locate him would require the Attorney General’s presence at the next hearing. However, the Attorney General assured that Panjutha would be found by the following day.
Following Panjutha’s recovery, the police confirmed his safety and are continuing their investigation to identify and apprehend the culprits involved in the kidnapping.
