Man arrested after holding his family hostage in Rawalpindi

RAWALPINDI: A person, allegedly mentally challenged, held his family hostage in the Morgah area of the city on Saturday.

According to rescue sources, the man shot and injured his father-in-law - aged around 50 - and held the rest of his family hostage before police succeeded in arresting the suspect.

A policeman was also injured by the shooting and was shifted to DHQ Hospital.

One of the children managed to escape from the house.

The suspect, Abdur Rahim, is mentally challenged and aged around 30, according to police and neighbours. He is also a drug addict and works in construction, according to reports. 

Neighbours told police the suspect tried to commit suicide by jumping off the roof of the house the previous day.

Relatives of the suspect claimed he lost his tools due to gambling and held his family hostage to demand money. 

Police said around 20 people remained trapped in the house overnight, before the police operation, which was conducted in cooperation with elite force personnel, ended the hostage situation. 

Two tear gas shells were also used in the operation. 

CPO Rawalpindi Israr Abbasi, addressing the media later, said the manner in which the suspect was shooting suggested he was no ordinary resident.