The unabated wave of attacks on police in Karachi has emerged as a major challenge for the law enforcement agency.
Following the martyrdom of Constable Saddam, who was gunned down in Gulshan-e-Maymar by assailants in a car on Wednesday night, Police Chief Javed Alam convened a midnight meeting. The city's top cop questioned senior officers about the measures taken so far and directed them to expedite efforts to trace and arrest the culprits.
A wave of deadly assaults on law enforcement has claimed the lives of 14 policemen, including an assistant sub-inspector, in Karachi since the beginning of this year. The alarming rise in targeted killings and ambushes has raised questions over the effectiveness of the Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) and other intelligence networks, as attackers continue to strike at will and escape unchallenged.
The first such incident occurred on February 12 in Steel Town, Malir, where Constable Khameso Khan was gunned down. Just three days later, on February 15, CTD Constable Imran Khan was targeted and killed in Manghopir, District West. On April 13, Constable Mohammad Ayub was shot dead while resisting a robbery in Eidgah, District South.
The series of killings continued in May: Constable Farooq was martyred in Surjani Town on May 19, while Constable Abdul Wajid lost his life during an encounter in the Docks area of Keamari on May 22. On May 28, Constable Zain Ali Raza was shot dead in a targeted attack near the Boat Basin traffic police checkpoint.
On June 1, Constable Shehryar Ali was killed in Yusuf Plaza, District Central, while on June 27, the charred body of Constable Hajjan was recovered from Sir Syed Bilal Colony's katchi abadi. Police later arrested two suspects in connection with his murder.
On July 2, Special Protection Unit technician Umair Ali was killed in Awami Colony, Korangi, followed by the murder of Constable Waseem Akhtar in Site-A, Keamari on July 11. On August 20, ASI Mohammad Khan Abro of Steel Town police station was gunned down in Bin Qasim, with suspects later arrested. Just a week later, on August 27, Head Constable Methro Khan was shot dead while riding his motorcycle in the same district.
In September, violence escalated further. On September 11, Head Constable Abdul Karim was martyred in Shah Latif Town while heading to duty. On September 17, armed assailants opened fire on Constable Saddam in Gulshan-e-Maymar, killing him on the spot. Meanwhile, on September 14, gunmen opened fire on a Gizri police mobile. The driver and another constable survived. Hours later, another police vehicle came under attack near Seaview's Do Darya, where assailants kidnapped one policeman. The abducted officer was later released near the New Sabzi Mandi on the Super Highway and managed to return to Sahil police station the following morning.
These back-to-back attacks highlight the vulnerability of law enforcement personnel, who continue to be targeted with impunity.
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