Three detained as police probe foreign woman's 'rape' in Lahore

Police have taken three people into custody in connection with the alleged rape of a foreign woman in Lahore's Defence area, saying they are being questioned on suspicion of facilitating the main suspects.

According to police, those detained are suspected of providing assistance to the accused. The alleged rape case names three suspects: Ahmed Tanveer, Ali and Mohsin.

The woman, hailing from Azerbaijan, was allegedly taken to a cafe by two unidentified women after she arrived in the city, police said.

According to police, the two women had three male friends at the cafe, where the foreign woman was allegedly given a drug-laced substance before being sexually assaulted.

The suspects allegedly later left her near the airport and fled, police said. The incident reportedly took place on the night between Friday and Saturday.

The police also revealed the foreign woman's travel history during the investigation. They said she first arrived in Lahore from Tashkent on March 4 on a foreign airline and stayed with Rida Hameed. She later departed for Baku, Azerbaijan, on March 20 on a foreign flight.

According to police, the woman returned to Pakistan for a second time on May 22, travelling from Baku on a foreign airline, and stayed with Rashid Ali.

Police said the woman arrived in Lahore for a third time around 15 days ago. They added that she travelled to Lahore in connection with the clothing business and regularly travelled between Lahore and Faisalabad for work.

Earlier today, police said that the vehicle allegedly used to abduct the woman had been recovered from the house of the main suspect's relative, who had also fled.

According to police, the suspects' names have been placed on the stop list, while the woman had undergone a medical examination.

Police said that the victim was currently unable to give a statement, adding that it will be recorded once she regains consciousness and is able to provide it.

Investigators further stated that the foreign woman can understand and speak Urdu.