Three more cops killed as ‘militant backlash’ intensifies

Karachi
In two separate attacks that law enforcers believe are cases of militant retaliation over intensified national anti-terror measures, three more policemen were gunned down in the city’s West Zone on Thursday, while two suspected terrorists were killed after a botched attack on a team of the Nazimabad police led by SHO Aijaz Lodhi.
While the final count for 2014 stood at 143, the target killings of the three constables – Muhammad Sharif, Abdul Bari and Bhugio Khan – means that eight policemen have now fallen in the line of duty in as many days of the New Year.
Of the eight, five were killed in targeted attacks over the past two days and senior officials who spoke to The News viewed the recent spate as reactionary terrorist action over the executions and the decision to set up military courts.
The day’s first attack took place within the Shahrah-e-Noor Jahan police limits, where two assailants shot dead a plain-clothed cop near Makki Mosque in Shadman Town.
Sharah-e-Noor Jahan SHO Sagheer Mugheri said 26-year-old Constable Muhammad Sharif s/o Muhammad Saleem lived in the area and was heading to his post in Abbas Town when he came under attack.
“The killers were tailing him as soon as he left his house which shows they had been monitoring his activities. Both attackers had 9mm pistols and shot Sharif multiple times at close range,” he said.
The SHO added that despite timely rescue response, Sharif’s injuries proved too severe and he was pronounced dead upon arrival at the Abbasi Shaheed Hospital. He said evidence from the crime scene had been sent for forensics and efforts were being made to track down the culprits.
Two more cops slain
Head Constable Abdul Bari (35) s/o Abdus Salam and Constable Bhugio Khan (40) s/o Adam Khan were gunned down at a mechanic’s workshop in Nazimabad No 3.
Officials said that the policemen, both from the Sindh Reserve Police (SRP) Base in Baldia, had been called for duty in the Nazimabad area and were having their motorcycle repaired when they were targeted by two assailants.
Nazimabad SHO Aijaz Lodhi told The News that both cops were were carrying SMGs but were ambushed by the perpetrators. “The attackers opened indiscriminate fire using a 9mm and a TT pistol. Bari and Khan were taken to ASH but both passed away during treatment,” said Lodhi.
Two militants killed
Just hours after Bari and Khan’s killing, a patrolling team of the Nazimabad police led by SHO Lodhi came under attack in the Nadirya area of Nazimabad No 2.
Fortunately, none of the policemen were hurt and managed to shoot dead the two attackers.
SHO Lodhi told The News that both killed men appeared to be militants and believed they may have been involved in the murder of Bari and Khan earlier in the day. “They are yet to be identified but both are young men. One of them had a 9mm and the other a TT pistol.”
‘Terrorist backlash’
Speaking to The News later in the evening, DIG West Capt (Retd) Tahir Naveed said the increase in attacks on law enforcers was most likely retaliation over the hangings of terrorists and the passage of the 21st Constitutional Amendment Bill and the Pakistan Army (Amendment) Bill 2015.
“The police is under continuous attack, particularly in Karachi’s West Zone. We have enforced a red alert and are reviewing our operational strategies. There have already been irreparable losses on our side but we will continue to fight terrorists to the very end,” he said.
He added that all SSPs, SPs, DSPs and SHOs had been directed to increase patrolling and also to ensure that protective gear such as bulletproof vests and helmets was available for all personnel.
The DIG hailed SHO Lodhi and his team for killing two attackers and said such acts of valour were a much-needed morale booster for the West Zone police.