By Our Correspondent
LAHORE: Police investigating an alleged gang rape case involving an Azerbaijani woman in Lahore’s Defence C area have recovered the vehicle allegedly used in the incident and intensified efforts to arrest the suspects, officials said.
According to police, the vehicle has been taken into custody and shifted to Defence C Police Station. Investigators said the vehicle could help trace the suspects allegedly involved in the incident.
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Police officials said the medical examination of the foreign national has been completed, while the medical report is expected to provide further details relevant to the investigation.
The case was registered at Defence C Police Station on the complaint of the Azerbaijani woman against three unidentified suspects.
DIG Investigation Lahore Syed Zeeshan Raza said that progress had been made in the investigation and teams had been formed to arrest the suspects. He said police were working to apprehend those allegedly involved.
DIG Operations Lahore Faisal Kamran said that three suspects had been identified as part of the investigation, while raids were being conducted to arrest them.
Police officials said the suspects allegedly used a white vehicle to take the woman to the location. The vehicle, which police said belongs to one of the suspects, has been recovered.
Authorities said three people have so far been detained on suspicion of facilitating the alleged crime. The detained individuals were reportedly taken into custody from a private housing society and Defence area, while further questioning is under way.
Police sources said several other individuals were also taken into custody during the investigation. Raids have reportedly been conducted in different areas, including Sundar and other locations, as teams continue efforts to trace the suspects.
Officials said the Crime Control Department (CCD) and Investigation Wing are participating in the operation, with teams carrying out searches at suspected locations.
According to police sources, the identities of several people allegedly connected with the case have been established, including two women and other suspects. Authorities said some suspected facilitators are also being questioned.
The investigation also examined the background of the complainant. According to available documents, the Azerbaijani woman had visited Pakistan previously and had travelled between Lahore and Faisalabad in connection with a clothing business.
Sources said the woman had arrived in Pakistan multiple times, including a visit through a flight from Baku earlier this year. Police sources said she was familiar with the Urdu language and had been visiting Lahore regularly.
Meanwhile, images allegedly showing the woman’s presence at the Punjab Assembly have also surfaced, leading investigators to examine further details regarding her movements and contacts in Pakistan.
Police officials have stressed that the matter is under investigation and that evidence collected through the vehicle recovery, medical examination and other investigative steps will help establish the facts of the case.
No final conclusion regarding responsibility has been reached, and any allegations against individuals will be subject to the ongoing legal process.
