The Punjab province of Pakistan witnessed high drama during Eid-ul-Fitr celebrations as videos surfaced showing Army personnel storming a police station and assaulting cops. The incident in Bahawalnagar has sparked outrage, leading to a joint investigation by the Pakistani Army and Punjab police.
According to reports, the clash ensued after police recovered an illegal weapon from a relative of a soldier, resulting in the detention of the individual. Both the Army and police have attempted to downplay the incident, with the Punjab Police labeling it as fake propaganda and the Army referring to it as a "face-off."
However, viral videos tell a different story. One video shows police officers being tortured, while another depicts individuals being stomped on by Army personnel. The injured police officers were reportedly denied a medico-legal examination.
The clash stemmed from an incident on April 7, where police officers raided a house to arrest a man for possessing an unlicensed pistol. However, family members, including an Army official, took the policemen hostage. Subsequently, another police team intervened, leading to the arrest of the house occupants.
The Punjab Police released a statement seeking to downplay the incident, while four police personnel have been arrested. The military's media affairs wing called the incident unfortunate and emphasized its prompt resolution through collaborative efforts.
The incident has prompted calls for accountability, with a PTI leader urging the resignation of the Punjab police chief. The situation underscores tensions between state institutions and the need for transparency and accountability in law enforcement actions.
