Rawalpindi police. Photo APP
RAWALPINDI:
Police continued efforts to trace the case of a 21-year-old girl who went missing from the Chaklala area of Rawalpindi and was allegedly kidnapped for a ransom of Rs20 million, but was later found to have travelled abroad within hours of her disappearance.
They decided to obtain CCTV footage from New Islamabad International Airport in coordination with airport authorities. Preliminary footage showed the woman apparently travelling alone at the airport and boarding the aircraft independently after completing the boarding process.
Following her disappearance, unidentified suspects demanded a ransom of Rs20m, prompting police to expand the scope of the investigation. According to officials, the woman had gone missing under mysterious circumstances from New Afzal Town within the jurisdiction of Chaklala police station.
After taking notice of the incident, Rawalpindi City Police Officer Khalid Hamdani ordered a comprehensive inquiry. The investigation is being carried out under the supervision of Operations SSP Malik Tariq Mehboob, Investigation SSP Raja Nasir and SP Talha Wali and their subordinates.
Police examined the mobile phones of the woman’s family members and reviewed CCTV footage from cameras installed outside her residence and in surrounding areas. During the investigation, it emerged that the missing woman had been in frequent contact with a female acquaintance who used to visit her home regularly, including late at night, and had previously lived in Dubai. The woman’s family later barred the acquaintance from visiting the house and advised their daughter to limit contact with her.
Police sources said the acquaintance has been questioned. Investigators also learned of a man residing in Dubai who had recently visited Pakistan and stayed for three to four months before returning to Dubai a few days prior to the woman’s departure.
Further inquiries suggested that the woman herself had travelled to Dubai. This was subsequently confirmed by FIA immigration authorities, who verified that she departed for Dubai from New Islamabad International Airport.
Police have now decided to obtain detailed CCTV footage from various locations within the airport to determine how the woman arrived there and whether she received any assistance.
A senior police officer told The Express Tribune that initial footage showed the woman passing through various airport counters alone. However, footage from other areas may clarify whether she reached the airport independently or with help.
Meanwhile, police are attempting to trace the unidentified suspects who sent ransom demands to the family via WhatsApp, along with an image allegedly showing the woman with tape over her mouth and her hands tied.
A senior police official said all aspects of the case and related developments are being investigated thoroughly under the supervision of senior officers.
Although the woman’s apparent independent travel to Dubai suggests her consent may have been involved, police said it remains to be determined whether she was trapped or coerced and who was behind the ransom demand. Police teams remain actively engaged in pursuing all leads.
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