Motive unknown : US embassy employee killed outside home

Police say victim had been working with US drug agency for last 13 years

ISLAMABAD: A local employee of the US Embassy in Islamabad was killed by an unidentified gunman in the wee hours of Sunday. 

The police have started an investigation after registering an FIR under Section 302 of Pakistan Penal Code against unidentified murderer at the Karachi Company Police Station on the complaint of the deceased’s brother, Sarwar Baig. The motive behind the murder is yet to be ascertained.

Karachi Company SHO Khalid Awan narrated the incident and said Iqbal Baig, son of Anwar Baig, was residing in Sector G-9/1 and had been working with US Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) for the last 13 years.

He would come home after 2am when his duty was finished, said the official, adding that on Sunday, when Iqbal reached his residence and parked his official car, his brother opened the gate for him. In the meantime, an unidentified man appeared with a 9mm pistol in his hand and began moving towards him.

The deceased resisted the assault but the attacker opened fire, after which Iqbal’s brother and other family members began to move towards the attacker, said the SHO, adding that fearing capture, the attacker started firing into the air and ran away in the dark of the night.

Police said the attacker must have been injured in the scuffle as he left a blood trail which ends in a nearby jungle.

The police also collected blood samples from the scene and recovered the allegedly pistol used in the crime along with bullet casings. The police believe the attacker fled in a vehicle from the point where his trail ends.

A police official who requested anonymity said the deceased was a member of the Shia Ismaili sect, and added that authorities were investigating the case from every angle. US embassy officials were not available for comment but the official said embassy staff visited the scene of the crime.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 27^th, 2015.