Plot thickens: Police encounter remains shrouded in mystery

Deceased was killed by Khazana police in Paharipura’s jurisdiction

PESHAWAR: As facts have started emerging over Saturday’s Chargo Kalay police encounter, the actual chain of events remains shrouded in mystery.

Some confusing facts and conflicting details have surfaced after an initial enquiry into the encounter by SP Headquarters.

The fact that the encounter involved the Khazana SHO and his team, but took place within the jurisdiction of Paharipura police station is baffling in itself, a high-ranking police official told The Express Tribune.

Earlier, Saleem, a resident of Chargo Kalay, was killed in an exchange of fire with the police. The latter claimed the suspect had opened fire at police personnel in Chargo Kalay area of Khazana police station and was killed in a shoot-out.

Enraged relatives gathered and blocked Charsadda Road to protest, claiming the deceased was innocent and killed by the police in cold blood. On Saturday night, Khazana DSP Sahibzada Sajjad said SHO Rehmatullah were on routine patrol when they spotted Saleem. The official added the man was asked to stop, but he shot at the police with his pistol and tried to escape. He added the man was killed during retaliatory fire by the police. Sajjad said Saleem was wanted in several cases, including armed robbery and drug peddling.

The protesters later dispersed when senior policemen assured a proper enquiry would be conducted.

“The enquiry shows that the episode actually took place in Paharipura police’s  jurisdiction. It is a little bit strange that the Khazana police SHO was patrolling outside his jurisdiction. It looks like a fake encounter [to me],” the official said.

Earlier, Ismail, the deceased’s uncle, told The Express Tribune that his nephew was innocent. He said the young man worked in his village as an embroiderer and probably panicked at seeing police and tried to run away. He believed that is when the police opened fire on him and killed him.

After the initial enquiry, a detailed one will follow suit.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 27^th, 2016.