Pakistan

Court, Sabzi Mandi blasts: Two months on, police clueless about perpetrators

SSP’s reply was as lacklustre as capital police’s inefficient attitude in immediate aftermath of suicide, bomb attacks

Our Correspondent May 23, 2014

A view of damage in district court in Islamabad after a gun-and-suicide attack on Monday, March 3, 2014. PHOTO: INP/FILE

ISLAMABAD:

It has been almost three months since terrorists attacked the Islamabad district courts and the fruit market, but police still do not have concrete information to share about the perpetrators of the attacks.

“It will be premature to say anything about the investigation,” Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Muhammad Ali Nekokara said while addressing a news conference at the Rescue-15 office about street crime on Thursday.

The SSP’s reply was as lacklustre as the capital police’s inefficient attitude in the immediate aftermath of the suicide and bomb attacks, which also led to removal of his predecessor SSP Muhammad Rizwan.

Nekokara said a joint team was investigating the incidents from all angles. He said if Punjab police and Rangers help in the security of the capital, it does not mean Islamabad Police have failed. It is simply “collaboration,” according to the SSP.

“Collaboration among law enforcement agencies is common worldwide,” the SSP Operations said. National security concerns and the overall situation of militancy have to be kept in mind, he added.

The official said Islamabad traders had not raised the issue of extortion in a meeting with him and solving homicide cases is a top a priority with the new Inspector-General of Police Aftab Cheema.

Street crimes

Regarding street crime, he announced that Saddar Zone police have busted a four-member gang that is allegedly involved in theft and murder cases.

The four suspects have been identified as Faisal, Sher Azam, Hammad and Shiraz. Police traced them after the gang allegedly stole a motorcycle.

Police recovered 10 stolen cell phones and three laptops among other items from the suspects and also found that the suspects had allegedly murdered a 20-year-old in Islamabad during a robbery, Nekokara said.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 23^rd, 2014.