Punjab Home Department Forms JIT to Investigate Clash

A six-member Joint Inquiry Team (JIT) has been established by the Punjab Home Department to investigate the recent clash between police officials and military personnel in Bahawalnagar. The JIT comprises officers from the police, military, and local administration, with Special Secretary Interior Atta-ur-Rehman appointed as its convener.

The incident, which gained attention after videos surfaced on social media showing individuals in military attire assaulting police officers, prompted a collaborative effort between the Pakistan Army and Punjab Police to address the situation. The Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) emphasized the need to counter false narratives and propaganda that aimed to sow discord between state institutions.

The JIT's mandate includes probing a police raid at the residence of an army official on April 8, where allegations of mistreatment of the official's family members emerged. Additionally, the team will investigate subsequent violent incidents on April 9 and 10, seeking to uncover the motives behind the clashes and proposing measures to prevent similar occurrences in the future.

Key stakeholders, including the Punjab chief secretary, inspector general of police, and intelligence agency representatives, have been notified of the JIT's formation and its investigative scope. The collaborative effort between military and police authorities underscores the commitment to resolving the Bahawalnagar incident transparently and preventing its recurrence.