Target killings, extortions on the rise in Peshawar

Efforts of the police, CTD prove ineffective for last many months

PESHAWAR: Though policemen in the provincial capital have been kept on their toes for the last many months, the measures taken by the force against target killings and extortions have virtually proved ineffective so far.

The killing of policemen and personnel of the security forces apparently by target killers is on the rise, especially in the areas of Yakatoot, Qazi Killay, Daudzai, Khazana and in villages located on both sides of Charsadda Road and Warsak Road.

On Sunday, three security personnel were targetted when they were on way to a military dairy farm to bring milk. A few days before the incident, a sub-inspector of the capital city police, Mohammad Ibrahim, became victim of target killers in Akhunabad locality in the city.

A number of senior and junior officials of the law-enforcement agencies have been target-killed in the provincial capital in recent months. Others have come under attack by the roadside blasts. Apart from personnel of the security forces, high-profile individuals from different walks of life were also attacked by the gangs of target killers.

The capital city police had compiled a list of suspects who were reportedly involved in target killing. Some of them were rounded up, but many such groups and individuals of target killers are operating in Peshawar and nearby villages.

Besides, a large number of cases are being investigated by the Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) and the capital city police in which unknown callers warned well-off citizens in Peshawar to arrange extortion money or face the consequences. Though a few groups of target killers were busted, the main ones are still at large and threatening the law and order situation in Peshawar.

A source told The News that letters were distributed among the traders on the Ring Road the other day asking them to arrange extortion money. Many are still receiving calls, mostly from Afghan cellular phone numbers.

In most of the cases, the CTD and the regular police have failed to provide security to those receiving threats. Normally, those receiving calls are asked to install closed circuit television cameras around their residences and offices, hire guards and restrict their movement. The only ‘favour’ that the police provide to the victims is issuing one, two or three-month permits to carry arms for their security.

“The permits are issued for only three months so the victims have to ask for the ‘favour’ again and again. In such cases, these permits should be issued for at least one year,” a victim suggested.

With the change in the top administration of the capital city police, robbers and dacoits have also increased their activities in the provincial capital to give a clear message to the new police boss, an officer known as a crime fighter and effective administrator.

The new capital city police officer, Mohammad Tahir, was posted last month to improve the law and order and go after the outlaws in Peshawar. He has already made changes in the setup while more measures are expected in coming days to improve the working of the force against the gangs of criminals.

Despite being considered to be the second most important position after the inspector general of police, leading the capital city police is a tough job that many senior police officers avoid due to the level of threats, challenges and workload.