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.