Online News : Britain seeks explanations over escape of Rashid Rauf, 3-member committee formed to probe incident

Thursday, December 20, 2007

Britain seeks explanations over escape of Rashid Rauf, 3-member committee formed to probe incident

December 19, 2007

ISLAMABAD: Expressing concern over escape of Rashid Rauf, the alleged mastermind of the London terror plot, Britain has sought immediate explanation in this regard.

According to details, Laura Davies a spokesperson of British High Commission in her statement said that Britain want immediate explanation regarding the escape of Rashid Rauf from the police custody.

Meanwhile, the Spokesperson of the Interior Ministry, Brig (retd), Javed Iqbal Cheema while talking to a US News Agency said that the police is searching Rashid Rauf and after his escape two police officials were also detained and interrogation from them is underway.

He informed that a 3-member inquiry committee comprised on police and officials of the Interior Ministry has been formed to probe the incident.

The Committee would submit its inquiry report within 48 hours, he added.

The lawyer of Rashid Rauf, Hashmat Habib while terming the incident a mysterious one, claimed that it is the possibility that the officials not to want to handover him to the Britain. It was impossible for Rashid Rauf to escape from strict police custody, he added.

Rashid Rauf, the alleged mastermind of the London terror plot was brought to Islamabad district courts from Adiala Jail in Rawalpindi on Saturday. On the way back to jail while benefiting the darkness Rashid Rauf escaped from the custody of the police.

The officials detained two police personnel while registered case of negligence against three police officials.

Source told Online that the inquiry committee which headed by Additional Secretary Interior Qazi Imtiaz comprised on Deputy Commissioner Islamabad Amir Ahmed Khan and Director FIA Mirza Yasin Baig.

The Committee would present the report to the Interior Ministry and also likely to present to President Pervez Musharraf and Prime Minister Muhammadmian Soomro.