Violence erupts in Pakistan's Peshawar over desecration of Quran, mob of 2,000 attacks police station (WATCH)
By Sunita Iyer | First Published Nov 20, 2024, 9:46 AM ISTSeveral police officials, including a senior officer, were injured on Wednesday when a mob of nearly 2,000 protesters attacked the Khazana police station on Charsadda Road in Peshawar, Pakistan.
Several police officials, including a senior officer, were injured on Wednesday when a mob of nearly 2,000 protesters attacked the Khazana police station on Charsadda Road in Peshawar, Pakistan. The unrest was sparked by allegations of a man desecrating the Holy Quran during a domestic dispute.
The mob demanded custody of the accused, who was already under police detention. Protesters damaged the main gate of the police station and hurled stones at its premises. In response, police fired tear gas and shot into the air to disperse the crowd.
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Superintendent of Police (Rural Division) Inam Jan was among those injured by the stone-pelting. Injured officers received first aid, while no loss of life was reported.
The protest disrupted traffic on Charsadda Road for several hours, causing significant inconvenience to commuters.
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Watch how an Islamist mob attacked a police station in Peshawar city demanding the handover a suspect, so the public could lynch him.
Will these Pak state sponsored blasphemy brigades ever be stopped? pic.twitter.com/aYQgQprLSG
The situation in Peshawar near Char Sadha Road, Riaz Garhi, embodies lawlessness in 🇵🇰
Radical Muslims gathered outside the Khazana District Police Station, demanding that an individual accused of blasphemy be handed over to them for mob lynching. pic.twitter.com/MWg0J6HZGB
Peshawar (KP): A mob surrounds a police station, demanding the handover of a blasphemy accused.
When the state enables mobs to act as judge, jury, and executioner, justice dies—along with humanity. pic.twitter.com/fXVI8B9PGl
According to a police statement, the incident originated in the Riaz Ghari area. The accused was immediately arrested and an FIR registered against him for alleged blasphemy. Police investigations are ongoing.
To defuse tensions, a team led by Peshawar SSP (Operations) Kashif Zulfiqar engaged local elders and religious leaders in negotiations. The mob eventually dispersed after assurances of swift legal action against the accused.
The police have announced plans to prosecute those involved in the mob attack under relevant laws.
Capital City Police Officer Qasim Ali Jan emphasized the department’s commitment to maintaining law and order, praising the force's strategy in preventing fatalities during the protest.
Reports indicate that some protesters were also injured, but their exact number remains unknown. A spokesperson for Lady Reading Hospital stated that no injured protesters had been brought for treatment.
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