ASI killed as police van ambushed in Peshawar

PESHAWAR: A police officer was killed while two cops and a passer-by sustained injuries when a car of the newly launched City Police Patrol came under apparent militant attack on the Ring Road near Paharipura on Monday evening.

According to the officials of the Rescue 1122, Assistant Sub-Inspector (ASI) Asmat Shah, who was heading the City Police Patrol Team No-8, was killed while Constable Fawad and driver Rab Nawaz were critically wounded.

An auto-rickshaw driver Samiul Haq, who was passing through the vicinity, was also wounded in the firing. The injured were taken to the Lady Reading Hospital (LRH) in Peshawar.

“One policeman was martyred and two were injured who were taken to the LRH. The incident is apparently a terrorist act,” Capital City Police Officer (CCPO) Mohammad Tahir told The News.

He said it had been confirmed that one person opened fire on the police but the possibility of involvement of his more accomplices could not be ruled out. Mohammad Tahir said that automatic assault rifle was used in the attack. Normally the target killers used 9mm pistols for attacks on police as it can be carried easily.

Police officials said the cops were on routine patrol on the Ring Road in the limits of the Paharipura Police Station when armed assailants opened fire on the car near a private hospital.

The injured were first rushed to the nearby hospital from where they were later taken to LRH. The City Police Patrol was launched a couple of weeks back to respond in case of any emergency within minimum time and help the victims.

The force comprises of around 176 officials who have been provided 22 vehicles, equipped with automatic weapons and latest technology and cameras. The force is being headed by a deputy superintendent of police. A team of the City Police Patrol comprises of an officer, a driver and two anti-terrorist squad members. The cars of the newly launched force are very visible due to its colour and lights that it carries, which makes them more vulnerable to attacks than other police cars.