Evidence in sub-inspector’s murder points to target killing

Police have not ruled out his business partners as suspects

PESHAWAR: The murder of Niaz Muhammad, a police sub-inspector (SI) from Kohat who was gunned down within the jurisdiction of Badabher police station Tuesday night, is being considered another incident of target killing.

This was shared by a Kohat police official with The Express Tribune. According to the official, initial investigation and all evidence collected so far points towards this conclusion.

“He was an SI at a recruit training centre in Kohat and was responsible for performing drills,” he said.

As per the official, Niaz was travelling from Kohat to Peshawar. “He had a business partnership in Peshawar and was travelling to the city for this purpose,” the official added. Two motorcyclists flagged down his vehicle, pulled him out and shot him dead. The attackers managed to flee the site after committing the crime. “We have been told Niaz was carrying a shopping bag and the attackers took it with them,” the official said.

“We can investigate this murder through various angles,” he said. “However, the manner in which the murder was committed suggests it is an incident of target killing and [could be] a militant attack.”

He added at this stage of the investigation they could not rule out the fact that Niaz’s business partners could have been involved in his death. Further investigation into the incident is under way.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 3^rd, 2016.