Imambargah attack: Police clueless about assailants

Second victim succumbs to injuries as others recover

ISLAMABAD: Even though the police have installed around 2,000 security and closed circuit cameras and intelligent surveillance in the city, the Islamabad Police is still clueless about the gunmen who attacked Imambargah Babul Illm in Sector I-8 on Wednesday evening.

Meanwhile, the toll from the attack rose to two after 73-year-old Syed Ain Zaidi succumbed to his injuries died at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Science (Pims) early on Thursday.



“His autopsy was carried out in Pims today at 9am,” Pims Medico Legal Officer (MLO) Dr Khurram told The Express Tribune.

Police officials, meanwhile, said that they were utilizing all resources to identify the attackers.

“We will give good news soon,” Homicide Unit Investigation Officer (IO) Abdul Rehman told The Express Tribune. He, however, did not share whether police had obtained records from the CCTV cameras or whether they have made any headway through the vigilance system.

On Wednesday evening, as people came out of the Imambargah after evening prayers, at least two unidentified armed men opened fire at them.

“The gunmen, on two motorcycles, were lying in wait near the Imambargah and opened fire when worshippers began to leave,” eyewitnesses told police, adding that the men were targeted from two sides.

Intelligence Bureau (IB) Naib Constable Syed Hubdar Hussain Shah was killed on the spot. At least four others were injured. Two of those injured were said to be in critical condition. While one of those, Zaidi, succumbed, there was news that one other injured was responding well to treatment.

The officer added that they have yet to establish the motive for the attack whether it was sectarian, terrorism or a targeted killing. Some militant groups have claimed responsibility for the attack but the official said it was too early to say who was involved.

Police sources said that they have sought assistance from the Safe City Project and a team was examining CCTV footage of the incident.



He conceded that security around the imambargah had been reduced in recent days and only volunteers were guarding it.

Curiously, Imambargah Babul Ilm is considered by the authorities to be one of the most sensitive buildings in the capital, placed in ‘Category A’ by the capital administration.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 1^st, 2017.