Search operation: Offender killed, 45 suspects arrested

Crackdown followed constable’s murder outside City Hospital.

PESHAWAR:

A proclaimed offender was killed while 45 people were arrested on suspicion in a search operation conducted in the jurisdiction of Badhaber and Bhanamari police stations on Tuesday.

Police raided several houses in Bazid Khel, Ahmad Khel, Musazai, Badhaber, Khattako Pul and Kagawala areas. In Musazai village, police raided the house of proclaimed offender, Gongatay, who was not present there at the time. When officials reached the house, another person opened fire at the police, who retaliated and left the offender severely injured. The accused was rushed to the Lady Reading Hospital, but succumbed to his injuries on the way. He was later identified as Aalam Khan.

A police official said the operation was conducted following the fatal attack on police constable Manfarullah, a resident of Badhaber, who was shot outside City Hospital on Kohat Road on Monday.



“Target killers have been active in the area for the past few months and have killed two policemen in a similar fashion,” he said, adding the culprits managed to escape after every attack.

The suspects arrested during the operation were shifted to Badhaber police station for interrogation. The official added they will be released after the investigation team clears them.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 8^th, 2014.