Kharotabad killings probe: FC statement contradicts police version

FC personnel say the police opened fire at the Chechens first; police claim that FC fired at them without permission.

QUETTA:

The police opened fire at the Chechens before the Frontier Constabulary (FC) personnel, an FC official said on Tuesday, while testifying to the Kharotabad judicial tribunal.

FC Colonel Faisal Shehzad also said that he had not been informed that the police had already searched the foreigners.

Nearly 22 witnesses have so far recorded their statements before the tribunal appointed by the Balochistan government.

FC official Mohammad Hashim told the tribunal that he was inside the check post when the three women and two men made their way towards the post. “I yelled and signalled for them to stop but they ignored my call. When they reached the picket, a huge explosion took place, following which the police opened fire at them. I fired two bullets which hit a nearby signboard,” he said, adding: “The incident took place at around 3:50pm. After a few minutes, police told me to come out from the picket, while another police official said the foreigners were suicide bombers. I got out and took position along with the police,” he said.

Hashim’s statement contradicts the police statement recorded with the judicial tribunal on Monday. In their statement, police officials, including Quetta police chief Dawood Junejo, declared that FC personnel did not seek permission before opening fire.

Shehzad told the tribunal that he had not given any orders for opening fire at the foreigners, and that when he arrived at the spot, the FC and police personnel had already taken positions and foreigners were lying on the ground near the pickets.

Shehzad said he was at the Ghaza Band headquarters on May 17 when Subedar Ramzan Khezi informed him about the explosion and shootout. “I informed Commandant Colonel Naveed Safdar and he instructed me to go to the spot. I was on my way there when Subedar Khezi told me to be careful as the firing was ongoing.

Khezi said that a FC official Sajjad was also killed in the firing. He had been deputed near the petrol station close to the check post. “I talked to Junejo, however, I did not direct either of the two, the FC personnel nor the police, to open fire,” Shehzad added.

FC official Taj Mohammad said he was inside the room when the explosion happened. “I saw a woman waving her hand, wanting to say something but I was unable to hear her clearly. Soon after, the police and FC personnel began firing at them. Later, police and FC officials arrived at the spot.”

Mohammad admitted that he opened fire at the foreigners, but said that his seniors did not stop him from carrying out the action. According to FC officials, the personnel present at the site resorted to firing twice; soon after the blast and again after a delay of 20 minutes when the officers reached the spot.

Justice Hashim Kakar, after recording their statements, adjourned the hearing till Thursday.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 8th, 2011.