CTD DSP martyred in Karachi targeted attack

KARACHI: DSP Ali Raza, an officer of the Counter Terrorism Department (CTD), was martyred in a targeted attack on Sunday night in District Central, Karachi. He was involved in operations to eliminate terrorists and criminals for the past two decades.

According to SSP Central Zeeshan Siddiqui, two assailants riding a motorcycle fired shots, resulting in the deaths of Ali Raza and his security guard Constable Waqar Ahsan outside the Faisal Corporation Building in Karachi’s Karimabad area. The assailants fired shots at close range and the bullets struck Raza’s neck and head. The attackers managed to flee.

Police reported that the assailants were already present inside the Faisal Corporation Building and were waiting with their motorcycle parked under a cover. Ali Raza and his colleagues used to gather outside the deceased’s apartment.

Senior police officials, including Mazhar Mashwani, Raja Umar Khattab, Chaudhry Safdar and others, arrived at the scene and vowed to swiftly bring the perpetrators to justice. Contingents of Crime Scene Unit and Central Police also reached the spot, collected evidence, including empty shells of the pistol used in the incident. After official procedure, the deceased DSP’s body was moved to

morgue. DIG CTD Asif Aijaz Sheikh, while talking to the media, said the incident was highly regrettable. He said, “It is premature to say anything about the incident.” He added that two persons were involved in the attack who fired 11 times at Raza. He explained that Ali Raza’s car was bomb-proof but the attackers fired shots at him after he exited the car, causing his death. “Threats to CTD officers are routine. We will not spare the culprits whoever they are,” he added.

The deceased police officer was a close associate of slain SP CTD Chaudhry Aslam. He played a key role in the operation against terrorists spreading unrest in Karachi from the 1990s until 2013, including Lashkar-e-Jhangvi, Al-Qaeda, Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan as well as activists of political and religious parties involved in target killings and bomb explosions.

Ali Raza was serving as Deputy Superintendent of Police in the Investigation Wing of the Counter Terrorism Department, Karachi.

Federal and provincial interior ministers expressed deep sorrow over DSP Ali Raza’s killing, with the Sindh home minister ordering immediate arrest of the attackers. He also sought reports from the DIG CTD and SSP Central and issued orders for immediate action to arrest terrorists involved in the attack.