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Pakistan

Tensions erupted in Bahawalnagar, Punjab, Pakistan, as Pakistan army troops clashed with police officers following a dispute over the recovery of an alleged illegal weapon from a soldier's family member. The incident, which occurred on Wednesday, was captured in several viral videos, showing men in army uniforms assaulting policemen, resulting in injuries and signs of torture.

The conflict began when police officers raided the family home of an army SSG (Special Service Group) commando named Khalil on April 8. However, they were reportedly detained by the soldier and his relatives instead. Subsequently, a larger police force was deployed to rescue the captured officers, leading to the arrest of Khalil, his father Anwar Jat, his brothers, and other family members for assaulting the police party. It's reported that the soldier and his relatives faced mistreatment while in custody and were not brought before a magistrate for police remand.

Military authorities intervened after the arrest and alleged mistreatment of the soldier and his family, registering a case against several police officers for holding them in "illegal" custody. The situation escalated further when soldiers arrived at the police station where the soldier and his family were detained. They forcefully entered the station and attacked policemen with rifle butts and sticks, resulting in injuries to the station in-charge and his staff.

Deputy Commissioner Zulfikar Ahmed Bhoon, District Police Chief Naseebullah Khan, and army officers intervened to pacify the situation. However, the aggressive conduct of the soldiers at the police station was recorded and shared on social media, provoking outrage among journalists, politicians, and rights activists. PTI leader Hammad Azhar criticized the Punjab police chief and accused the provincial government of downplaying the incident.

In response to the viral videos, the police issued a statement clarifying that the incident was misrepresented as a conflict between the Pakistan army and Punjab police. The statement stressed that both institutions conducted a joint investigation, and upon reviewing the facts, the matter was peacefully resolved.

This incident underscores the delicate relationship between the military and police in Pakistan, raising concerns about power misuse and the imperative for accountability and transparency in such situations.