In the line of duty: SHO dies of injuries sustained in police action

Police were facing dacoits who had crossed into pucca area of Bagarji town

SUKKUR: Bagarji SHO Subhan Ali Shah died after he was injured in an encounter with dacoits as the latter entered the pucca area of Bagarji town Sunday night. Later, a number of raids were carried out in various areas and more than a dozen suspects were arrested on charges of helping the dacoits.

According to the police, SHO Shah received a tip-off about the movement of dacoits from the katcha area to the pucca area. Soon after receiving the information, the officer, along with a police party, rushed to the scene to prevent the criminals from entering the pucca area. Police officials said that as soon the police reached the spot, the dacoits, who had already crossed into the pucca, opened indiscriminate fire. Resultantly, SHO Shah received bullet injuries and fell on the ground. The injured SHO was immediately rushed to the hospital where the doctors declared him dead.

Later, Sukkur SSP Amjad Ahmed Shaikh, along with a heavy contingent of police, raided different areas in Bagarji and its surroundings and arrested more than a dozen suspects. The SSP said that SHO Shah immediately rushed to the area with a few policemen and as soon as he reached there, the dacoits, who were hiding in the dense forest, opened fired on him. The officer was rushed to the hospital but he couldn't survive, he added. During overnight raids, 13 suspects, who used to provide logistics and shelter to the dacoits, have been arrested, said the SSP, adding that the assailants will soon be brought to justice.

Meanwhile, SHO Shah was laid to rest in his native village, Achar Sadhayo, in Garhi Yasin, Shikarpur, on Monday. Sukkur DIG Captain (retd) Feroze Shah, SSP Shaikh and a large number of police officials attended the funeral. On this occasion, the DIG, on behalf of the Sindh IG, announced a compensation of Rs5 million and two jobs in the police force for the deceased’s family members.  On Tuesday, a heavy contingent of the police entered the dense Bagarji forest to eliminate the criminals. As the Bagarji forest connects three districts - Sukkur, Shikarpur and Khairpur - the Shikarpur and Khairpur police have also launched initiatives and sealed all the exit and entry points to the katcha. However, due to heavy fog, the police forces are facing problems in their search operations.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 14^th, 2016.