Online News : Inquiry into Rashid Rauf escape from police custody begins today

Inquiry into Rashid Rauf escape from police custody begins today

December 17, 2007

ISLAMABAD: Investigations into escape of Rashid Rauf, alleged mastermind of the August, 2006 transatlantic aircraft bombing plot from police custody will begin from today while interior ministry has issued directives to deputy commissioner Islamabad to summon the police officers and constables escorting the accused.

Caretaker interior minister Rashid Rauf had constituted a 3-member committee headed by additional interior secretary Imtiaz Qazi and comprising additional director general FIA, Mirza Yasin Beg and deputy commissioner Islamabad, Aamir Ahmad Ali to probe into the matter.

Interior ministry has issued notification to the deputy commissioner Islamabad Aamir Ahmad Ali directing him to hold inquiry into the matter.

Talking to Online Monday, deputy commissioner Islamabad Aamir Ahmad Ali said escape of Rashid Rauf from police custody is not an ordinary case. It is an international issue. If need be investigations will also be made from the high ranking police officers , he added.

Margalla Police has started investigating two police constables escorting Rashid Rauf. Sources told these police constables did not take seriously the matter of safety and security of Rashid Rauf and treated him like ordinary prisoner.

Police sources told police often took Rashid Rauf in a taxi in connection with his inquiry.

Rashid Rauf sources told that he was taken to additional deputy commissioner Malik Zafar for inquiry on Saturday wherefrom he escaped from the custody of police

Rashid Rauf who is resident of Bahawalpur was declared by the government mastermind of aircraft bombing plot and he was arrested. He was shifted to Adiala jail.

Police sources told Rashid Rauf was innocent in the case who was arrested by the government under UK pressure but no consent was coming to hand him over to British government.

Different police parties are conducing raids in Bahawalpur and other places for the arrest of Rashid Rauf, police sources said adding the accused would soon be arrested.