Little hope of catching those responsible for killing traffic cops
Police claim use of fresh weapons hampering investigation.
The deceased, Shakeel and Kamran arrived dead at Abbasi Shaheed Hospital. PHOTO: FARAZ KHAN/EXPRESS
KARACHI:
Two traffic wardens who were killed in a targeted attack on Saturday have been laid to rest. A case has also been registered. But as has happened with similar incidents last year, there is little hope of nabbing those responsible.
The two traffic policemen were on duty under the Ayesha Manzil flyover in Azizabad police remits when they were attacked. A case against unidentified armed motorcyclists has been registered at the Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD), which registered its second such case as the FIR of the killing of seven cops guarding polio teams in Orangi Town last month was also registered there. That case too has yet to make any headway.
Two traffic wardens gunned down in Karachi
Case registered
The FIR for Saturday's shooting (174/16) was lodged on the complaint of section officer of Ayesha Manzil Traffic Section, Sajid Shaikh, while the investigation has been transferred to inspector Chaudhry Ghulam Safdar of the CTD.
The police have also obtained ballistics results of the empty shell of a 9mm pistol recovered from the crime scene. Unfortunately, it has not helped much. "There is no previous record of the weapon used in the traffic wardens' killings," Safdar told The Express Tribune.
"There is no development so far but we are trying our best," said the investigating officer, explaining that "The problem is that not a single previous case has been completed successfully that could help us probe the latest case."
A history of violence
Six traffic wardens have been gunned down and several others wounded in the metropolis since last year. Investigators say they are looking at all possible suspects but their focus is on banned militant outfits.
"It could also be a reaction to the killings of two Jamaatul Ahrar militants in Swabi [Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa] recently, and it could also be a reaction to death sentence of the Safoora Goth attack suspects. But we can't say exactly who is responsible until someone is arrested," explained an officer close to the investigation.
Two policemen killed in Quetta blast
Changing tactics
Police claim that terrorists and militants now opt for weapons not previously used in any crime so as to delay being traced by the police. The weapon used to kill social worker Khurram Zaki on May 7 had no previous record either, said an officer.
Similarly, investigators also did not obtain any record of previous use of weapons from which Tableeghi Jamaat members were attacked in Gulberg a few days ago. "It seems the criminals now prefer to use weapons that do not have a previous record," said an officer of the forensic division.
Way forward
The duties of traffic police have been suspended in sensitive areas following the latest attacks. Earlier, the commandoes of the Rapid Response Force were deployed along with the traffic cops but, after some time, they were withdrawn. Following the recent attack, police high-ups have once again decided to deploy commandoes alongside traffic wardens, particularly in sensitive areas, revealed a police official. Moreover, police are considering other methods of protection as the handful of bulletproof vests and automatic rifles provided to wardens have not saved them from being targeted.
Rest in peace
Meanwhile, funeral prayers for the two wardens were offered at the Garden Headquarters and attended by government officials and family members of the deceased. Rangers DG Major General Bilal Akbar, Sindh IG Allah Dino Khawaja and other senior officials were also in attendance. Later, the IG expressed sorrow over the loss of lives and offered condolences to the family members of the deceased. He said the police will not be intimidated by the cowardly acts of terrorists and will go to any extent to protect the lives and property of the people. He also announced monetary assistance for the legal dependents of the wardens.
Published in The Express Tribune, May 23rd, 2016.
Two traffic wardens who were killed in a targeted attack on Saturday have been laid to rest. A case has also been registered. But as has happened with similar incidents last year, there is little hope of nabbing those responsible.
The two traffic policemen were on duty under the Ayesha Manzil flyover in Azizabad police remits when they were attacked. A case against unidentified armed motorcyclists has been registered at the Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD), which registered its second such case as the FIR of the killing of seven cops guarding polio teams in Orangi Town last month was also registered there. That case too has yet to make any headway.
Two traffic wardens gunned down in Karachi
Case registered
The FIR for Saturday's shooting (174/16) was lodged on the complaint of section officer of Ayesha Manzil Traffic Section, Sajid Shaikh, while the investigation has been transferred to inspector Chaudhry Ghulam Safdar of the CTD.
The police have also obtained ballistics results of the empty shell of a 9mm pistol recovered from the crime scene. Unfortunately, it has not helped much. "There is no previous record of the weapon used in the traffic wardens' killings," Safdar told The Express Tribune.
"There is no development so far but we are trying our best," said the investigating officer, explaining that "The problem is that not a single previous case has been completed successfully that could help us probe the latest case."
A history of violence
Six traffic wardens have been gunned down and several others wounded in the metropolis since last year. Investigators say they are looking at all possible suspects but their focus is on banned militant outfits.
"It could also be a reaction to the killings of two Jamaatul Ahrar militants in Swabi [Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa] recently, and it could also be a reaction to death sentence of the Safoora Goth attack suspects. But we can't say exactly who is responsible until someone is arrested," explained an officer close to the investigation.
Two policemen killed in Quetta blast
Changing tactics
Police claim that terrorists and militants now opt for weapons not previously used in any crime so as to delay being traced by the police. The weapon used to kill social worker Khurram Zaki on May 7 had no previous record either, said an officer.
Similarly, investigators also did not obtain any record of previous use of weapons from which Tableeghi Jamaat members were attacked in Gulberg a few days ago. "It seems the criminals now prefer to use weapons that do not have a previous record," said an officer of the forensic division.
Way forward
The duties of traffic police have been suspended in sensitive areas following the latest attacks. Earlier, the commandoes of the Rapid Response Force were deployed along with the traffic cops but, after some time, they were withdrawn. Following the recent attack, police high-ups have once again decided to deploy commandoes alongside traffic wardens, particularly in sensitive areas, revealed a police official. Moreover, police are considering other methods of protection as the handful of bulletproof vests and automatic rifles provided to wardens have not saved them from being targeted.
Rest in peace
Meanwhile, funeral prayers for the two wardens were offered at the Garden Headquarters and attended by government officials and family members of the deceased. Rangers DG Major General Bilal Akbar, Sindh IG Allah Dino Khawaja and other senior officials were also in attendance. Later, the IG expressed sorrow over the loss of lives and offered condolences to the family members of the deceased. He said the police will not be intimidated by the cowardly acts of terrorists and will go to any extent to protect the lives and property of the people. He also announced monetary assistance for the legal dependents of the wardens.
Published in The Express Tribune, May 23rd, 2016.