High-ranking security official, child killed in Peshawar target attack

Investigators say IB Inspector Usman Gul was shot thrice by unidentified attackers

PESHAWAR: A high-ranking officer of the country’s civilian intelligence agency, Intelligence Bureau (IB), was shot dead in an incident of target killing in Peshawar, police said on Monday.

IB Inspector Usman Gul was shot thrice by unidentified attackers, police officials investigating the case told The Express Tribune.

Eyewitnesses said after the attackers injured the security official he tried to escape but was shot multiple times, killing him on the spot.



Meanwhile, a child who was passing by the street where the attack took place was also killed as a result of the firing by unidentified attackers. Sources at Peshawar’s Lady Reading Hospital said the 14-year-old child was pronounced dead on arrival.

While the provincial capital has seen a downfall in bomb explosions and other major attacks, the spiral of targeted attacks, targeting personnel of law enforcement agencies have seen a sharp rise in recent months.

Over nine policemen have been killed in jurisdiction of Yakatot Police Station alone. Despite their efforts local police have largely remained unsuccessful to curb the menace of targeted killings in the area.