Sindh Police official confesses to firing bullet that claimed minor’s life

Claims he was cleaning his pistol when the bullet accidentally discharged

The man responsible for the murder of a young schoolgirl, who was killed by a stray bullet at her school in Saeedabad, has come forward and surrendered to the police.

Wasim Khan, who is himself a police official posted at Madadgar 15 in Ittehad Town Police Station, surrendered himself to the police on Wednesday, claiming he was cleaning his pistol at home when a bullet stuck in its chamber accidentally discharged. Khan apologised for the incident and said that the reason behind the five-day delay in coming forward was panic.

The victim's father, on the other hand, maintained that neither had the bullet been fired by mistake nor was it a coincidence. The police will now investigate Khan's claims.



Seven-year-old Aqsa, daughter of Muhammad Saleem, was shot in the back at The Citizens Foundation School near Saeedabad Police Traffic Centre on September 28. She was subsequently rushed to the Dr Ruth Pfau Civil Hospital, from where she was shifted to the National Institute of Child Health.

The next day, Saeedabad Police registered a case against unknown suspects under Section 337 H-2 of the Pakistan Penal Code. Meanwhile, the minor girl, after battling for her life for two days, breathed her last on September 30. Subsequently, the police had added Section 302 (murder charges) to the FIR and started looking for the suspect.

On Wednesday, Khan came to the police station of his own accord and surrendered to the investigation police, besides handing over the murder weapon - a 9mm pistol and two bullets.

Khan lives in a building that faces the school's gate. Police officials quoted him as saying that at the time of the incident, there was no electricity. Since the generators were running, they somewhat drowned the noise of the gunshot and he could not discern which way the bullet had travelled. He had later learnt that a student had been injured.

According to Khan, he had panicked after the incident and could not decide on the next course of action. This is the reason why he maintained silence for five days following the incident.

He was, however, restless and confided in his father about the incident, who accompanied him to then police station on Wednesday. He added that he was sorry for his actions and apologised to the victim's parents and family.

Saeedabad Police Station ASI Muhammad Amir, who is investigating the case, told The Express Tribune that Khan was inducted to the police department 2013 and was posted in Surjani Town before being transferred to Ittehad Town.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 4^th, 2018.