Married girl killed in police-robbers gunfight

FIR registered, cops involved in the incident detained

KARACHI:

A 23-year-old lady, mother of two, was caught in a shootout between police and suspected robbers and died at a hospital in New Karachi area.

Hamida, wife of Muhammad Rafiq, was fatally hit in a police-robbers gunfight at Allah Walla Chowk in the remits of Bilal Colony police station.

The Bilal Colony police registered a case against the police officials based on the complaint of Rafiq. According to the FIR, Rafiq and his wife were returning after purchasing medicine for their children when gunfire erupted in Sector 5D. Two suspects on a motorcycle sped past them, with police in pursuit.

As the motorcyclists passed, Rafiq attempted to move his bike to the other direction. Tragically, a bullet hit his wife and she fell from the bike, bleeding. Rafiq rushed her to a nearby hospital in a rickshaw, where she succumbed to her injuries.

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Rafiq told journalists that as the suspects sped past them, police personnel, chasing them, opened fire, resulting in his wife's death. Rafiq clarified that the robbers did not fire any shots. When the police officers opened fire, the robbers continued their attempt to escape, while one was apprehended by the police.

Rafiq said that the SHO suggested registering a case against the police personnel involved. The accused officers were detained. Despite pardoning the policemen, Rafiq called on the government and top police officials to refrain from recruiting unprofessional and untrained personnel. Rafiq, the husband of the victim, Hamida, has pardoned the police officers involved in the tragic incident.

Rafiq said that they had been married for five years and have two children. The deceased woman was later laid to rest in the local cemetery after the funeral prayer.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 13^th, 2023.