Guard erroneously kills two persons

Mistakes deceased for intruder in private housing society

KARACHI:

A security guard of a private housing society inadvertently shot dead two persons, including a woman, on Hub River Road on Saturday. The victims were identified as Hanif, aka Mada, a man wanted in a cheque bounce case, and a passerby woman, Sadia Shafqat.

According to SSP Keamari Arif Aslam Rao, the fatal shooting took place when Hanif attempted to escape from Naval Colony upon spotting a police party from Saeedabad police station.

In response to the commotion raised by bystanders, a security guard stationed at the housing society’s gate opened fire, leading to the demise of 45-year-old Hanif and 40-year-old Sadia Shafqat. Police rushed to the scene and apprehended the security guard, identified as Aqib, and seized his weapon, along with live rounds and empties. Three other security guards on duty were also taken into custody for questioning. According to DSP Baldia Town Masroor Jatoi, Hanif had a cheque bounce case registered against him by Zahid Mughal, a resident of the same housing society. Mughal had sought police assistance in arresting Hanif, ultimately resulting in the deadly shooting.

The security guard, mistaking Hanif for a potential intruder, opened fire, inadvertently causing the tragic loss of two lives. Sadia Shafqat, a mother of three residing in Baldia Town, was visiting her relatives at Naval Colony, while Hanif, a father of four, was a betel-nut dealer living in Baldia Town.

Following the necessary formalities, police handed over the bodies of the victims to their respective families. Investigations into the incident are ongoing.

 

Published in The Express Tribune, September 10^th, 2023.