Tracing cop killers: Rangers announce Rs1m reward to informers

KARACHI:

Sindh Rangers have announced a reward of Rs1 million for information leading to the arrest of those involved in killing a police constable on Thursday evening.

Constable Khuda Bux was gunned down on Thursday evening near the Five Star traffic intersection in district Central. The cop, along with three colleagues, was returning after performing his duty at the Eid Miladun Nabi procession when the incident occurred.

"Any person who gives information that leads to the arrest of the culprits will be rewarded with Rs1 million," said a spokesperson for the paramilitary force, adding that alongside police the Rangers were investigating the case as well. "The identity of the person giving the information will be kept secret," explained the official.

The investigation of the case is with the Taimooria police, as a case was registered there against unidentified suspects under sections 302 (premeditated murder) and 34 (common intention) of the Pakistan Penal Code, read with Section 7 of the Anti Terrorism Act.

"It was the 83rd killing of a law enforcer in the city this year. It could be the same group as those who have carried out these attacks in the past," said an officer who is part of the investigating team.

Explaining the incident, he said at the Five Star intersection, Bux got off his motorcycle to drink water from a nearby hotel. In the meantime, two suspects appeared and shot him. "They [suspects] were on a motorbike and fled immediately," he said.

The forensic report of the bullet casings seized from the crime scene confirmed that the weapon has been used in other targeted attacks in the city, the officer said. "We are questioning suspects who are in jail for similar crimes," he claimed.

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