KARACHI - At least four policemen were killed and a bystander wounded in a target killing incident in Korangi neighbourhood here on Wednesday. The victim cops were having meals at a roadside eatery in Korangi’s Zaman Town locality when gunmen came and targeted them.
Police said the cops used to go there to have some meal. Gunmen rushed to the spot and sprayed bullets minutes after the policemen parked their mobile van and started taking food.
The assailants fled after completing their swift operation while the victims died on the spot. Witnesses said the armed assailants also took their officials submachine guns (SMGs) away with them. Following the incident, extra contingent of law enforcers including police and Rangers also reached the site. Rescuers from different welfare associations shifted them to a Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre (JPMC).
“The victims were shot in their heads with a close range. The injured passerby is out of danger,” said sources at the medicolegal section of the hospital.
The victim policemen were identified as ASI Aqeel Ahmed, 45, who was a mobile officer. Three constables were identified as Jamil, 46, Anwar Hussain, 35, and Akhtar, 42, while the injured passerby as Atif Saghir, 32. The victim ASI was the resident of Landhi area and the constables were the residents of Korangi.
It is pertinent to mention here that a total 242 police officials and personnel have so far been killed in Karachi since the operation began on September 5, 2013. Two SPs, five DSPs and SHOs, 28 sub-inspectors, 30 assistant sub-inspectors, 41 head constables and 130 constables were among the police officials and personnel who lost their lives in the past 23 months. On the other hand, 331 terrorists, 38 kidnappers, 10 extortionists and 806 robbers were also killed during the 3,569 encounters with the police in the same period.
The recent major attack on the police in Karachi was occurred in Azizabad locality on May 27 when three policemen of Azizabad police station were killed by four assailants on two motorcycles.
“It is clear in the SOP that no policeman will be allowed to take meal or food item from a roadside café or a restaurant,” Korangi division SP Afnan Amin explained. “But while violating the SOP, these policemen were taking meals at the eatery on daily basis.” SP Amin said no doubt the assailants were monitoring these policemen for the last few days and it was a preplanned attack. “These policemen (deceased) left their bulletproof vests in the mobile and put their guns on side. They were busy taking meals due to which they could not even retaliate,” SP Amin explained.
The officer said according to initial investigation, three armed assailants were behind the incident and most probably, there were some other assailants on their backup support.
It was also learnt that the assailants also used SMG in targeting the cops, however, the officer said the police had so far recovered only five empty shells of 9mm pistol from the crime scene. A case was being registered and further investigation is underway. The police were also trying to make the sketches of the culprits with the help of witnesses.
Moreover, security would be high alert in Karachi’s south zone on the occasion of the Independence Day. This was announced by the Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG), South Zone Karachi, Dr Jamil Ahmed on Wednesday.
He stated a special security plan has been devised for the purpose which would be implemented from the night of August 13. Directives to this effect have been issued to the SSPs, DSPs, SDPOs and SHOs and the police have been asked to remain alert. According to the plan, security arrangements are being made for South Zone’s main thoroughfares, important places and main public and private buildings.
The directives have also been given for effective police patrolling and checking as well as keeping an eye on suspicious vehicles besides deployment of police mobiles and motorcycles squads.