Four suspects arrested in connection with the gang rape of two women have been killed in a shootout in Peshawar, police said on Friday.
The suspects were being taken for identification and recovery in the Rehman Baba area when unidentified armed men attacked the police party.
Police said that an exchange of fire followed the attack and all four suspects were killed. Officials claimed that the suspects died from firing by their own accomplices, who escaped from the scene.
Police had arrested the four men a day earlier over the alleged gang rape of two women in Garhi Mosa Khan, Peshawar.
According to police, the suspects climbed over the wall of a neighbour’s house and entered the residence by force. They allegedly tied the homeowner and his minor son before sexually assaulting his two wives at gunpoint.
The incident took place around 2am on Sunday within the jurisdiction of Rehman Baba police station.
The suspects also allegedly took the women’s mobile phones after the assault. A seven-year-old girl was present during the incident and police included provisions of the Child Protection Act in the FIR [First Information Report].
Capital City Police Officer (CCPO) Peshawar Dr Mian Saeed Ahmed and Senior Superintendent Police (SSP) Operations Farhan Khan took notice of the incident and directed police to arrest the suspects.
Police said that forensic analysis was carried out after the arrest and officers were taking the suspects for identification and recovery when the armed men attacked the police party.
