ISLAMABAD: Mohammad Taha, 15, went hiking with friends on Saturday but did not return home. The police found his body in a ditch between Pir Sohawa and Bari Imam on Monday.
Hiking Trip Turns Tragic
According to the FIR, Taha and his classmates left for Trail-5 Margalla Hills for a planned hike on Saturday. Around 5 PM, one of his friends called his mother to ask if Taha had returned home. Concerned, his mother went to Trail-5 to search for him and reported the matter to Rescue 15. Despite police efforts, they failed to find him that night.
Body Discovered
Police spokesperson Taqi Jawad confirmed that wildlife staff found the body in a ravine and informed the police. Rescue workers and police retrieved the decomposing body with a stretcher after hours of effort. They then sent it to a hospital for an autopsy.
Delays and Criticisms
According to Dawn News, sources claimed police’s “non-professional attitude” delayed the teenager’s recovery. The boy’s mother reported him missing on Saturday evening, but the police did not act immediately. They failed to issue an e-tag or record the incident in the daily diary as required by SOPs. An e-tag was only issued on Sunday afternoon after the mother lodged a written complaint. A police team visited the hills on Saturday evening but merely completed formalities and returned.
Questions About the Police Response
Police officials noted that the mother mentioned a call from one of the boy’s friends asking if he had returned home. They criticized the police for not taking this seriously or questioning the friends who were with Taha. The FIR was finally registered on Sunday afternoon. In response to questions about the delay, the police spokesperson said the FIR was registered after receiving the woman’s written complaint on Sunday. He affirmed that e-tags are generated for all complaints but contradicted himself by saying no e-tag was issued because the report was made to the helpline.
Ongoing Investigation
The police have been interrogating Taha’s friends since Sunday. The friends provided a vague account, stating that one of them was injured, and they were searching for him when Taha said he was going down the hill.
Patrolling Squad Re-Launched
The incident highlighted the 60-strong patrolling squad re-launched by the police to protect visitors on the Margalla Hills trails. This squad comprises foot, motorcycle, and mounted personnel.
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