Most of the officers were being killed in the District West area of Karachi. PHOTO: AFP/ FILE
Those who lost lives in the line of duty include, two deputy superintendents of police, three inspectors, 13 sub-inspectors, 16 assistant sub-inspectors, 26 head constables and 78 constables. More than 162 policemen have sustained injuries during numerous attacks on the force.
The spokesperson, Dr Moizuddin Pirzada, stated that most of the officers were killed in the city’s West district, which is home to one of the most sensitive areas of Kemari, SITE, Baldia and Orangi.
He added that the reaction to the operation was not limited to Karachi only as around 16 officers and constables have lost lives in other parts of the province, while at least 31 had sustained injuries.
Targeted Operation
The targeted operation started in Karachi after Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif visited the metropolitan last month in a bid to devise a strategy to curb violence.
“It is a matter of satisfaction that all political parties are on the same page for a targeted action to restore peace,” the prime minister had said.
With the provincial government on board, the prime minister gave a go-ahead to the paramilitary force to conduct raids and arrest criminals with the help of the police. Subsequently, the operation began on September 7 and since then hundreds of suspects have been arrested.
The Prime Minister, while speaking at the Sindh governor house had especially highlighted the prevalent flaws in the system of investigation and prosecution that lead to acquittal of criminals.
The Karachi police chief, DIG Shahid Hayat, while talking to The Express Tribune on Thursday appeared adamant that the mass police roundups and detentions of criminals will not end up the same way this time.
“We will make sure that all of these criminals will be brought to justice through the courts with a skilled investigation to help the prosecution,” he added.
Earlier, while speaking to the media at the funeral of the slain station house officer of Sir Syed Police, Irfan Haider, who was gunned down in North Karachi along with the station investigation officer, Shahbaz Bhatti on Wednesday night, DIG Hayat said that such attacks and serious losses will not deter the police to slow down its operations against the criminals.
“We will not get intimidated,” he said. “Despite their fierce reprisal and manoeuvrings, the police will continue,” he added.
Meanwhile, the Sindh Rangers, who are leading the operation, once again rejected the allegations of targeting a specific political group.
“The operation is being conducted across the city and not just in the political strongholds of any specific political party,” said the Rangers spokesperson.
COMMENTS (13)
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All 286 Police Officials who had participated in the Karachi Operation during 1994-96 have been killed. Is it a well-planned target killing or the evil act of "Na Maloom Afrad"??
138 officers killed since September?
It really does seem like a war-like situation.
@Beyg: Why don't you post your address? Then the police can come over and personally show you what operation. Ask yourself this: what sort of a life will you have then?
May God grant them the highest place in heaven for having laid down their lives for OUR safety. To all their family members - your men are true heroes :)
These brave men should be give medals. They are also defenders of the nation. The people must demand that the police force must be given the same facilities like the armed forces. They are fighting internal enemies.
An aggressive approach is needed due to the deteriorating security situation in the city. It is extremely important to have a safe and secure Pakistan for the sake of restoring peace in the region. At the same time, it is hard to imagine a safe and secure Pakistan without a safe and secure Karachi. We have full confidence in the government’s ability to bring the situation under control. We stand by the government of Pakistan in its effort to negate the threat of violence, and wish to see peace prevail throughout the city.
Ali Khan DET, United States Central Command
@ Altaf
Totally agreed.
Those who give ultimate sacrifice so that others can leave in peace must be applauded and appreciated. Why police in most troubled areas is not given state of the art protective armour to lessen their losses. And why none of the criminals was shoot on the spot? What kind of operation it is where there are only arrests and no real encounters with criminals?
and how many criminals and gangster died? i guess none, or a 2 or 4 maybe. this is the problem, why capture criminals, they should be shot when found with gun
Salute to the brave policemen, who sacrificed their lives to restore peace in Karachi. Well done Sindh Police, for putting their lives on the line in the quest to keep law and order in the metropolitan port city.
Our police shows a great spirit.
May Allah give the place in heaven
They were the great people, who martayred in giving a protection to the public.
That's a huge number for an already understrength force. These officers' sacrifice must not be wasted, and the operation must not end until all the killers are caught or killed.