Man Suffers Heavy Gambling Losses, Gets Drunk, Holds 25 Family Members Hostage

(Associated Press) - Pakistani police have rescued 25 members of a family who were held hostage by a drunken relative in the garrison city of Rawalpindi.

Officer Israr Abbasi said police fired tear gas canisters into the home after the man shot and wounded a relative and a police officer on Saturday.

Abbasi said suspect Abdur Rahim was injured as he scuffled with police. Relatives said Rahim held them hostage at gunpoint starting at midnight Friday.

Investigators said the man got drunk after suffering heavy gambling losses, including machinery from the family’s construction business.

Abbasi said Rahim will undergo medical tests to ascertain his mental condition and will be prosecuted accordingly.