No sir you are not at all making it up. This is something happening with 'increased frequency' at proximity of 2 interchanges - Pindi Bhattian & Kalar Kahar - perpetrators are targeting new cars travelling single with children. Time is late night or early evening between asr & maghrib thats when in either direction its almost centre.
The other most dangerous stretch of getting mugged or abducted is the semi half-moon curve 1 km short of river crossing between Peshawer & Islamabad. & other lethal one is Karnal sher khan interchange notorious for 'abduction for ransom in ur own car' but i think that is done under 'mukhbari'.
warn people around not to travel as single car, keep mobile phone connected to car charger. Keep a Flash light in car, never pull over if bumped or an attempt to get cornered keep driving n dial the Motorway help read the number plate, explain color of car before make & model repeat it few times so they listen, all calls to MP are recorded so repeatition makes it more clear.
if at all need arise to stop at rest areas do not leave car / children un attended, park the car under bright light visible to you from distance. approach car go around it check for any flats or broken windows then board the vehicle.
do not - under no condition offer help / ride to any stranger no matter how miserable they look - do not stop for roadside broked down car rather report it to MP and keep driving.
Remember Your life is more important to your family & to your parents, & your car is equally important for your safe journey back home.
In April 2013 a friend borrowed my 2005 Corolla GLI in Islamabad to visit a wedding in Lahore - he faced exactly the same situation over motorway while close to an under pass some metal banged over trunk & the rear windshield turned to a spider web without shattering. he continued because he was having some serious package of jewellery for delivery to the bride's home & wife dressed up for party, incident happened at approx 6.45 PM, few km ahead he saw MP and stopped closed to cruiser. Checked the car it was not only rear screen the trunk top had ball size bumps, MP also approached and viewed the whole car warned the same as above member reported.
Please do not travel alone either day or night, stay close to cluster of cars, keep cell phone handy to dial MP. Never hesitate to dial MP in case of threat from another car Just DIAL