Following the government’s decision to launch a massive crackdown on the people who were involved in the lynching of a man on charges of desecration of the holy Quran, police in Madyan, Swat, a well-known tourist destination, arrested 40 persons, including two brothers, during raids on Saturday night and Sunday morning, and shifted them to an unknown location, reported 24NewsHD TV channel.
Police said that more arrests were expected as raids were being conducted to get to those who were involved in the incident.
Sources told 24NewsHD TV channel that two brothers were among those taken into custody in connection with the offence.
The suspects were identified with the help of videos made while the mob was busy torching the police station and beating the alleged blasphemer, sources informed.
Soon after the incident, a case had been registered against the suspects under the terrorism-related sections.
A charged mob in Madyan, Swat had on June 20 brutally killed a man when the news spread that he had desecrated the holy Quran.
Although the man was already in police detention, still the mob managed to drag him out of the police station and then mercilessly beat him so much so that he lost his life and then set fire to his body, the police station and a police vehicle.
Swat DPO Dr Zahidullah said that eight people were also injured in the incident.
According to locals, some individuals announced in a market that a man had committed blasphemy, which led to his arrest by the police.
But shortly afterward, they added, announcements were also made from mosques which infuriated people who marched towards the police station in anger.
Initially the mob asked police to hand over the suspect to them, but when the Force refused, they forced their way into the police station.
Police officials had to flee to save themselves.
Police officials said the suspect did not belong to Swat and was staying at a local hotel.
While on the other hand, media reports suggested that the deceased was a tourist and hailed from Sialkot.
Reporter: Subhan Allah