NOWSHERA:Police officers were taken hostage and severely tortured during a violent confrontation after raiding a gambling den near Mast Baba Mazar, officials confirmed on [Date].
According to SHO Adil Syed of Aazakhel Police Station, the raid in the mountainous area triggered a scuffle where a gambler, Jahazib, was injured by police firing. Dozens of enraged gamblers and their associates then overpowered the police, taking them hostage and subjecting them to severe torture.
The mob also snatched an official rifle from the police personnel. Outpost In-charge Iftikhar Khan reportedly fled the scene, abandoning fellow constables.
A large police contingent later arrived, securing the area and arresting 16 suspects. Injured constables Taimur Khan and Waqar Alam were rushed to District Headquarters Hospital Nowshera in critical condition.
The stolen police rifle remains unrecovered, Syed stated.
