Investigation committee formed to probe Ahsan’s death

Family says multiple bullets were fired directly at them

KARACHI: An investigation committee has been formed to probe the murder of 19-month-old Ahsan, son of Kashif Sheikh, who was killed on Tuesday in an alleged police encounter near Safoora Chowrangi. The committee, headed by Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) Deputy Inspector-General (DIG) Abdullah Sheikh, was formed on the instructions of Karachi Additional IG Dr Amir Sheikh.

South SSP Pir Muhammad Shah, also a member of the investigation committee, visited the crime scene on Thursday, including the point where the police personnel allegedly started chasing the dacoits as per the information given by a citizen. Shah also visited Ahsan’s house to meet the family and record their statements.



Ahsan’s family, demanding justice, told Shah that multiple bullets were fired and refuted the the police officials’ claim that only one bullet was fired. They said the gunshots were directed at them. SSP Shah, talking to the media, said that Ahsan’s parents’ statements have been recorded while the statements of the police officials are yet to be recorded. It is, however, very important for the investigation that the rickshaw driver and the person who informed the police about the dacoits come forward and give their statements, SSP Shah said.

He added that he was hopeful that the family will get justice. The CCTV footage, forensic report and statements of other witnesses, including the four detained police officials, are yet to be recorded, after which it will be determined whether they were responsible or not.

SSP Shah said that these types of incidents have taken place before as well and it is high time that the police department makes such reforms that could restore public trust in them. He assured that those responsible for Ahsan’s death will be punished and citizens would be able to trust the police again. Shah also said that they had found only one bullet shell from the crime scene but Ahsan’s father insisted that multiple bullets were fired.



The rickshaw in which the family went to the hospital was the same in which they were travelling at the time of the shooting. CCTV footage is required to trace the rickshaw driver, said SSP Shah, and appealed through media that the rickshaw driver and the citizen who informed about the dacoits come forward and give their statements. Advertisements in newspapers will also be published in this regard, he said.

Ahsan’s grandfather, while talking to the media, said that they were satisfied with the investigations and the investigation committee has been formed on their recommendations.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 19^th, 2019.