Three policemen were reportedly transporting two accused in private car with one weapon. PHOTO: INP
A total of three policemen were returning from an anti-terrorism court in a private car along with the suspects — Imtiaz Rind and Khalid alias Bengali — after acquiring their remand.
Some reports say unidentified attackers ambushed the vehicle as it appeared on Korangi EBM Causeway within the limits of Korangi Industrial Area police station. However, investigators later established that the accused had no outside help and overpowered the policemen on their own.
“I was driving the car (Daihatsu Cuore) when two assailants riding a motorcycle attacked us,” narrated Korangi police Station Investigation Officer (SIO) Wasey Jhokio, the only one to remain unhurt in the attack.
“As soon as they opened fire, my car went out of control and hit another vehicle passing on the causeway,” he explained.
The incident resulted in the killing of one policeman on the spot and caused serious injury to another, while the SIO and the accused remained unhurt.
The lone witness further said that shortly after the attack, the suspects managed to escape after overpowering him.
“They (escaped suspects), after getting out of the car, snatched a motorcycle from a passerby and escaped,” he shared.
The culprits also snatched a weapon from the deceased cop but dumped it nearby after escaping. The deceased cop was identified as Rafiq and the injured as Daim. They were taken to Jinnah hospital for autopsy and medical treatment. “One of them was brought dead while the other, with a head injury, is in critical condition,” explained the hospital’s deputy executive director, Dr Seemin Jamali.
The plot thickens
Reportedly, only the deceased policeman had an official sub-machinegun while SIO Jhokio and the injured cop were not carrying any weapons.
The SIO had reported lost his official pistol at the police station on Friday morning. This development has raised doubts as travelling with culprits without weapons and a police vehicle is a violation of protocol, according to investigators.
Senior police officials said they have ordered an inquiry into the incident. Counter-terrorism department in-charge Raja Umer Khattab, citing initial investigations, said the escaped suspects may have fired from the same weapon that was stolen yesterday.
“Strict action will be taken against anyone found guilty of facilitating the incident,” said Karachi AIG Mushtaq Maher while visiting the crime scene.
The escaped suspects
Police said the escaped suspects were charged with the murder of a policeman and a civilian.
Korangi DSP Ghulam Nabi Wago said the accused were allegedly involved in the murder of head constable Yousuf Lodhi on September 20 as well as a milkman, Babar. “The culprits are professional criminals and were involved in various criminal activities” he explained.
“They killed Lodhi as he was creating hurdles for them and the milkman was killed during a robbery bid.”
Published in The Express Tribune, October 1st, 2016.
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