Pakistan: 20-Year-Old Azerbaijani Woman Alleges Gang Rape in Lahore
A 20-year-old female national from Azerbaijan was allegedly drugged and gang-raped by three men in Lahore, Pakistan, following an initial meeting arranged by two local women, police reported on Sunday. The victim, who had traveled to Pakistan for business purposes, was reportedly abandoned near the city's Ghazi Interchange after the assault.
A 20-year-old woman from Azerbaijan has alleged that she was drugged and s*xually assaulted by three men in Lahore’s Defence area, according to police and reports on Sunday. Police have registered a case and said they have identified suspects, while special teams have been formed to trace and arrest those allegedly involved, according to a report.
Woman’s Account of the Incident
According to the police complaint, the woman, identified in Pakistani media reports as Diana, had arrived in Lahore several days earlier for business purposes and had been staying in the city’s Raiwind area. She told police that two unidentified women took her to a café on the night of September 25. Three men, described as acquaintances of the women, were reportedly present there. Pakistan: 3-Year-Old Girl Married to 60-Year-Old Man for PKR 2.5 Million Under ‘Walwar’.
The woman alleged that the group later took her to a flat on the pretext of going for a drive. She told police that she was given an intoxicating substance, after which the three men allegedly s*xually assaulted her.
Police Begin Investigation
Police said the woman was later left near Lahore’s Ghazi Interchange. She also alleged that the suspects took her mobile phones and other belongings before leaving the area. Lahore DIG Investigation Syed Zeeshan Raza said the suspects had been identified and that special teams headed by SP Investigation Cantt Asim Iftikhar were conducting efforts to arrest them.
Police have also recovered a vehicle allegedly used in the incident from the residence of a relative of one of the suspects, according to a separate report. The woman’s initial medical examination has been completed, while a detailed report is awaited.
CCTV Footage, Technical Evidence Examined
Investigators are examining CCTV footage from the café, surrounding areas and other locations to establish the movements of the people allegedly involved. Police are also examining technical evidence and attempting to trace the mobile phones reportedly taken from the woman. Officials have said the investigation will proceed on the basis of available evidence.
As of the latest reports, no arrest of the three alleged main suspects had been officially announced, although police said efforts to apprehend them were continuing.
Consular Assistance Provided
Authorities have reportedly facilitated contact between the woman and the Azerbaijani embassy to provide consular assistance during the investigation. The allegations in the police complaint have not been established in court. The investigation remains underway, and responsibility will ultimately be determined through the legal process and evidence presented to the relevant authorities and courts.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Sep 27, 2026 05:43 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).