ATC grants remand of 82 accused in prison van attack case

ISLAMABAD: Eighty-two individuals, including two PTI MPAs, 34 KP policemen, and 42 others accused of attacking prisoner vans in Sangjani Town, Islamabad, were presented before the Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) in Rawalpindi on Saturday where police sought their physical remand.

ATC Judge Tahir Abbas Sipra heard the case, and after arguments from both sides, the judge approved a two-day physical remand of the accused.

The prosecution argued that the vans were transporting 82 prisoners to Attock Jail following their appearance before the district magistrate. Among them were two PTI lawmakers and other party workers. The prosecution further informed the court that approximately 20 individuals in four vehicles had attacked the prisoner vans near Sangjani Toll Plaza, armed with weapons, sticks, and stones. Four police officers were injured in the attack, but police managed to arrest four attackers while the others fled.

PTI lawyers Mirza Asim Baig, Ghazal Khan, Amna Ali, Ansar Kiyani, and others argued before the ATC judge that, as per the FIR, the attack on the prisoner vans was premeditated. They questioned why police had chosen to leave the prisoner vans on the GT Road.

The defence team further argued that all the accused had been in police custody since October 5. While one trial court had approved bail for the accused, another court had ordered their discharge from custody.

The PTI lawyers questioned how police could have immediately arrested all 82 accused and argued that the incident arose because the police did not want to release the suspects.

The defence demanded that all accused be discharged from the case, adding that police had been directed to release the accused but insisted on taking them to Attock. They further argued that the four arrested individuals were relatives of the accused and were also on their way to Attock; none of the accused fled the scene.

In response, the prosecution sought a physical remand, saying it was necessary to uncover the facts and recover evidence. The prosecution maintained that the accused admitted there were 82 individuals involved, making further investigation essential. After hearing the arguments, the ATC judge reserved the verdict and subsequently approved a two-day physical remand of the accused.

Meanwhile, the Islamabad police have registered a case against 82 Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) detainees, accusing them of orchestrating an escape attempt during their transport to Attock Jail. The case, which includes two terrorism charges and 12 sections of the Pakistan Penal Code, has been transferred to a special investigative team for further examination. An FIR (No. 813/24) was lodged late Friday night by the Sangjani Police Station SHO.

According to the FIR, suspicious behaviour was observed among the detainees during their court appearance in Islamabad’s magistrate court on Friday, suggesting a premeditated escape plan. As the prisoners were being transported back to Attock Jail in three heavily guarded vans, armed assailants lying in ambush near the Sangjani Toll Plaza allegedly launched an assault. The attackers reportedly opened fire and used iron rods to break the locks on the vans, freeing several detainees, who joined the attackers in pelting stones at the police.

The incident left three police officers injured, including Sub-Inspector Muhammad Ramzan and constables Abdul Hameed and Munsif. Police reinforcements quickly re-arrested most of the escapees, and a search is underway to locate the remaining fugitives.

Four attackers were captured at the scene and identified as Murad Ali, son of Liaqat Ali, from Lower Dir; Waheed Zafar Khan from Lal Qila, Lower Dir; Malik Muhammad Arshad, son of Muhammad Sardar, also from Lal Qila; and Abdul Wahab, son of Ghulam Hakeem, from Nowshera. Police recovered automatic firearms from the suspects, who remain in custody as investigations continue. Authorities are intensifying efforts to prevent similar incidents, emphasising stringent measures for transporting high-risk detainees in the future.