An anti-terrorism court in Islamabad granted a five-day physical remand for Ahmad Raza Dar and two others on Thursday, following their arrest in connection with the recent assault on foreign nationals in the capital.
The suspects were presented before the court under heavy security. Police investigators requested a 10-day physical remand to conduct further interrogations and recover evidence, including mobile devices and potential weapons used during the incident. The judge, however, limited the custody to five days, directing the investigation team to produce the suspects again on the expiry of the term.
The case stems from an incident earlier this week where a group of foreign nationals was intercepted and attacked by unidentified individuals. The assault caused alarm among the diplomatic community in Islamabad, prompting high-level directives to law enforcement to ensure a swift investigation and the immediate arrest of those involved.
Police reports filed after the incident detail charges of attempted murder, criminal intimidation, and violations of the Anti-Terrorism Act. Prosecutors argued in court that the suspects’ involvement was corroborated by initial forensic evidence and eyewitness statements. The defense counsel disputed these claims, arguing that the suspects were wrongfully identified and that the evidence was insufficient to warrant police custody.
This arrest follows growing pressure on the Islamabad police to secure the city’s high-security zones. The Ministry of Interior has since instructed the Inspector General of Police to expedite the investigation and submit a comprehensive report to the cabinet.
The suspects remain in the custody of the Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD). Investigators now have until early next week to build a case that can withstand a formal trial, as the government faces scrutiny over the safety of foreign nationals operating within the country.
