PESHAWAR: As the top police bosses are investigating the firing incident in Urmar village to find out as to what exactly led to the killing of three policemen and injuries to three others, the cops are on the hunt for two proclaimed offenders (POs) who had fired at them. Three policemen and a villager from Urmar village, Aslam Niaz, were killed while eight others, including seven policemen, sustained injuries in the incident last Wednesday. “A high-level inquiry headed by Additional IG Special Branch has been ordered. It will submit its report shortly,” Inspector General of Police (IGP) Nasir Khan Durrani told The News. Police officials have made it clear that Aslam Niaz had nothing to do with the complaint on the basis of which the IGP suspended Station House Officer Ijaz Khan. The officers said the person who had lodged the complaint was named Islam and he belonged to Bazidkhel village. Many villagers led by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Member Provincial Assembly (MPA) Ishtiaq Urmar had protested the killing of Aslam Niaz. The protesters claimed Aslam Niaz was asleep when he was killed. They demanded judicial inquiry into the incident, lodging of FIR against SHO Ijaz Khan and his immediate arrest. “The cops were carrying out a search operation in the area when they intercepted a man with AK-47 in the street. However, he ran towards his house and opened fire on the policemen, who chased him in the hot pursuit,” Capital City Police Officer (CCPO) Mubarak Zeb, told The News. He said Aslam Niaz was not asleep when he was shot at. “In fact, he opened the fire first while the cops retaliated. Police Constable Roman was killed inside the house while two other cops suffered injuries before others could return the fire,” the CCPO claimed. A police officer said that in fact there were two other proclaimed offenders who were at the house of Aslam Niaz enjoying a music party. He added the two POs along with the brother of Aslam Niaz opened fire on the cops when they were taking the wounded policemen to hospital. He said raids were being conducted to apprehend the two POs, who reportedly stayed at Aslam Niaz’s house on the day of the incident. Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Operations Dr Mian Saeed rejected the allegation that Aslam Niaz was shot at when he was sleeping. He added that during the search operation the cops challenged him when he was carrying an AK-47 rifle in the street. “When the cops entered his house he opened fire on them, injuring three policemen. The police retaliated and shot him dead while his brother and two others continued firing at the policemen,” Dr Mian Saeed maintained. He said that they were collecting intelligence and information through scientific methods to find out the accused for firing at the cops. He added that the SHO conducted the raid as he had not received his suspension orders till that time.
