ISLAMABAD: Islamabad Police have said legal action will be taken against a Pakistan Army officer accused of assaulting a student and firing shots into the air during a protest at Sarhad University’s Islamabad campus.

Assistant Inspector General of Police Hamza Humayun told the BBC that the officer, who is reportedly a lieutenant colonel, was taken into protective custody and handed over to senior military authorities. He is likely to face proceedings under military law, potentially including a summary court-martial.

According to military sources, the Army’s senior leadership has taken serious notice of the incident. The sources said the armed forces have a policy of taking strict and immediate action against violations of the law.

Police said the incident occurred while officers were already present at the university to control a student protest. Viral footage from the incident also appears to show uniformed police personnel at the scene.

According to local police and university officials, students had gathered to protest issues related to university administration and fee payments. The students were reportedly demanding an extension in the deadline for payment of fees.

A university official, Muhammad Nauman, told the BBC that a lieutenant colonel arrived at the campus carrying a stick and allegedly began hitting some students. When university officials reached the scene, a confrontation was reportedly underway between the officer and students.

Nauman alleged that the officer subsequently fired shots into the air before leaving the campus.

He said the officer was the husband of a university employee who was present at the campus at the time of the incident.

Following the aerial firing, students reportedly left the university premises and moved onto the GT Road, blocking traffic. Police officers subsequently arrived and held negotiations with the protesters.

AIG Hamza Humayun assured the protesters that action would be taken against those responsible. He said anyone who opened fire while wearing the military uniform would face proceedings under the Army Act.

The university administration has also submitted an application to the relevant police station regarding the incident.

According to a university official speaking on condition of anonymity, the Human Resources Director had previously filed a harassment complaint against a head of department, following which the professor was suspended.

The official said tensions escalated on Monday when some students allegedly made taunting remarks at the HR director as she was heading towards her office.

The official said the HR director called her husband after the situation deteriorated. Videos circulating on social media reportedly show the officer taking his wife away from the scene before turning back after students allegedly made further remarks, leading to a confrontation.

Source: BBC Urdu