In the line of duty: Policemen laid to rest

Both cops were shot dead while on security duty

KARACHI: The funeral prayers of two policemen gunned down on Wednesday night in Defence Housing Authority were offered on Thursday.

Police constables Majid Ali, who was posted at Security Zone II, and Muhammad Ishtiaq, posted to District Central, were shot dead by armed men late Wednesday night. "Both cops were on security duty of Dr Abdul Aziz, who has some personal enmity over a property dispute in Sukkur," said Darakshan SHO Raja Tanvir.

"They were not killed in an act of targeted killing but their murders are linked to the dispute."

Both the policemen were shot multiple times and died shortly after the incident. Their bodies were taken to Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre for autopsies and later handed over to their families. The deceased cops were serving under SSP Arab Mahar, who deputed them on security duty of his relative, Dr Aziz, without completing proper legal formalities.

Sindh inspector general (IG) Allah Dino Khuwaja has taken notice of the incident. "No SSP is allowed to depute cops to any individual," said a press statement quoting the IG.

The funeral prayers of the cops were offered at Police Headquarters, Garden. Other than the victims' family members and relatives, the funeral was also attended by a large number of police officials, including Additional IG Mushtaq Mahar.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 9^th, 2016.