An anti-terrorism court (ATC) on Thursday granted police physical remand of suspended SSP Malir Rao Anwar till April 21 in a case regarding the extrajudicial killing of Naqeebullah Mehsud.

Anwar was presented before the ATC in Karachi amid tight security. A large contingent of security forces was also present outside the ATC.

During the hearing, the police said that Rao Anwar has threat to his life therefore; he cannot be produced in the court on daily basis.

The former Sindh police officer was arrested a day before in Islamabad after he finally appeared in the Supreme Court. The Chief Justice while rejecting his protective bail plea ordered Sindh police to arrest him.

The court directed to form a new Joint Investigation Team (JIT) headed by AIG Aftab Pathan to probe the murder of Mehsud.

Security forces have also tightened their noose around the absconded police officers. At least 13 suspects in the case including SHO Amanullah are currently on the run.

Police has once again begun search for the escapees who are said to be in hiding in Balochistan and border areas.

Mehsud, 27, hailing from South Waziristan, was gunned down on January 13 in Shah Latif Town by alleged ‘encounter’ with a police team headed by Rao Anwar, however; preliminary probe suggest that Mehsud was killed in cold blood and had no terror links.

His killing sparked a social media outcry, as his family members rejected claims by authorities that he was a member of the Tehreek-e-Taliban, saying he was an innocent aspiring male model.