Another police constable falls in the line of duty

After a police constable lost his life during a shootout between law enforcers and alleged muggers in Baldia Town on Monday night, another PC fell in the line of duty in the New Karachi Industrial Area (NKIA) within 24 hours of the first incident.

Twenty-three-year-old Irfan, who was posted at the NKIA police station, was wounded during an exchange of fire with suspected criminals on Tuesday night. He was taken to a private hospital located on National Stadium Road, but he succumbed to his injuries during treatment.

Police said the shootout took place after policemen patrolling on a motorbike tried to intercept two suspects who were also riding a two-wheeler. However, instead of stopping, the suspects opened fire on the officials and sped away.

Resultantly, Irfan suffered critical wounds and later succumbed to his injuries during treatment. The funeral prayers for the constable were offered at the police headquarters in the Garden area on Wednesday.

The funeral was attended by the cop’s family, relatives a large number of senior police officers, including Sindh police chief Dr Syed Kaleem Imam and Karachi police chief Ghulam Nabi Memon.

A case has been registered against the unidentified suspects, and further investigation is under way. IGP Imam has also taken notice of the incident and sought a detailed report from the District Central SSP.

On Monday night a police constable and a suspect lost their lives during a shootout between law enforcers and alleged muggers in a locality of Baldia Town. District West SSP Fida Hussain Janwari said the Ittehad Town police received information that armed muggers were robbing people near the Muhammad Khan Chowki area.

He said police vans were immediately despatched to the scene, but as the suspects saw the law enforcers approaching, they opened fire and a shootout between the two parties ensued. The suspects sped towards the Tori Bangash area to avoid arrest, and as the police pursued them, Constable Abdur Rehman suffered injuries during the crossfire, added the officer.

The SSP said that after the shootout, the police arrested one of the suspects in an injured condition, while his alleged accomplices managed to escape from the scene. Both the wounded men were rushed to the hospital, but they were pronounced dead on arrival, he added.

The officer said the identity of the dead suspect was yet to be ascertained, adding that the police had found a pistol on his person.

Previous attacks

Around a dozen policemen had lost their lives in targeted attacks in the city the previous year. The victims included an assistant sub-inspector (ASI) and 10 constables.

One law enforcer was martyred in January, two in February, four in March, one in April, two in June and one in September, according to reports published in newspapers.

Traffic police warden Ehtisham was martyred in Soldier Bazaar on January 21. Policeman Farooq lost his life in Pak Colony on February 13. Former policeman Shafqat was attacked in Orangi Town on February 14.

PC Jahangir was martyred in Hijrat Colony on March 2. ASI Rizwan lost his life in the Iqbal Market area of Orangi Town on March 4. Also in Orangi Town’s Iqbal Market area, policeman Habibullah was attacked on March 9. Policeman Farooq was martyred near Nipa Chowrangi on March 22. PC Khalid lost his life in the Defence Housing Authority on April 7.

Constables Allah Dino and Ahmed Ali were attacked in the Mominabad area of Orangi Town on June 17. Constable Syed Zeeshan Mian, 26, whose Rukhsati ceremony was scheduled to take place around a month later, embraced martyrdom on September 19 during a gunfight with three suspected criminals in Nazimabad.

ASWJ activist shot dead

A local leader of a politico-religious party was shot dead on Wednesday in an apparent act of target killing in the Baloch Colony area.

A 35-year-old man, Hafiz Zahid, son of Abdul Kareem, who was said to be associated with the Ahle Sunnat Wal Jamaat (ASWJ) was shot dead in Junejo Colony within the jurisdiction of the Baloch Colony police station. He was shot multiple times and was shifted to Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre where doctors pronounced him dead.

Responding to the information, police reached the crime scene and initiated investigations. According to police, the victim was on his way to his home on a motorcycle when armed assailants opened fire on him, killing him on the spot. The investigators recovered eight empty shells of a 9mm pistol from the crime scene, which were sent to the forensic division of the Sindh police for ballistics cross matching.

A spokesperson for the ASWJ claimed that the victim was affiliated with the organisation and was serving as its information secretary for Mehmoodabad Town.

The funeral prayers for Zahid were offered at a mosque in Mehmoodabad which were attended by his family members, relatives and a large number of ASWJ workers and supporters who also staged a protest against the incident and termed the killing a police failure.

They also demanded that the police high-ups take stern action against those involved in the target killing.

The victim’s father is said to be a prayer leader at a local mosque. A case has been registered while further investigations are under way.

Couple, son wounded

A couple and their teenage son were shot and injured at their house located in Saiful Marri Goth within the remits of the Surjani Town police station.

The injured couple were taken to Abbasi Shaheed Hospital for medical treatment. They were identified as 38-year-old Rafiq, son of Naik Muhammad; Rabia, 36, wife of Rafiq; and 15-year-old Mustafa, son of Rafiq.

According to SHO Iftikhar Qureshi, initial investigation suggest that the injured woman’s former husband Ashiq Hussain Solangi was behind the incident, who entered their house and escaped after shooting them. Police have recovered empty shells of bullets from the crime scene and initiated further investigations.

Man injured during mugging

A man was shot and injured in a firing incident near Jauhar Morr within the limits of the Sharea Faisal police station. He was identified as 35-year-old Faisal. Police said the incident took place for offering resistance during a mugging bid. A case has been registered and further investigations are under way.