Constable gunned down near Clifton Bridge

Karachi
A policeman was gunned down near Clifton Bridge on Sunday. Judging from pattern of similar attacks in the recent past, police suspect that terrorists belonging to banned outfits could have been responsible for the cop’s murder.
The killing of head constable Irar Hussain has taken the number of cops who have fallen in the line of duty in the city this year to 23.
Civil Lines SHO Waqar Tanoli said the head constable, who was posted at the city traffic section, was performing his duties when some men opened fire on him.
He was rushed to the Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre where he was pronounced dead. The officer said the policeman had suffered a bullet wound to the head. He added that the attackers had used a 9mm pistol. Hussain lived in Saddar Police Lines and has left behind a widow.
A senior officer told The News that terrorist belonging to banned outfits including the Taliban and al Qaeda had suffered heavy damages because of the operations against them in the tribal areas and Karachi and were retaliating by targeting law enforcement personnel.
He added that police had found evidence of Taliban terrorists in the recent killing of an ASI in Soldier Bazaar, firing on MA Jinnah Road and then an attack in Arambagh.
“The empty bullet shells found at the crime scenes on MA Jinnah Road and in Arambagh where policemen were attacked were similar, which meant that the same kind of weapon was used in both the incidents,” he explained.
“The same kinds of weapons were used in an attack on police in New Karachi last year”
The official said Taliban were also trying to create an atmosphere of fear and panic in the city and targeting the Shia and Bohra communities to achieve this objective. The officer said police also suspected the involvement of banned outfits in a bomb blast that occurred in Orangi Town on Saturday night. He added that similar blasts had taken place in Orangi Town in the past as well.
The officer said al Qaeda was also active in Karachi and a few months ago one its terrorists was arrested in Karachi who had disclosed that the organisation was involved in the killing of police and Rangers and members of the Shia community.

Police stations
Despite many initiatives announced by the government to counter terrorism in Karachi, the reality is that its police stations have still not been equipped to deal with the threat.
Policemen lack the training and are unaware of modern tactics required to tackle terrorists.
Insiders said some police stations in the South, East and West ranges were vulnerable to attacks and fell short of the required strength in terms of manpower.
Besides, they added, there was also a shortage of vehicles, particularly armoured personnel carriers. A few police stations in Karachi have been handed over Suzuki pick-ups which do not meet the requirements. There is also a shortage of bulletproof vests, helmets and other equipment. Karachi police chief Ghulam Qadir Thebo had suggested to IGP Ghulam Hyder Jamali that the force should be equipped with automatic weapons, particularly the Glock pistol as it was easier to carry and use.