Investigation confirms teen killed by fleeing robbers

17-year-old Komal Tariq died after being struck by a bullet fired by a fleeing robber, not by police personnel

KARACHI:

An official police investigation has concluded that 17-year-old grade XI student Komal Tariq, who was killed in a firing incident in Korangi on January 2, died after being struck by a bullet fired by a fleeing robber and not by police personnel.

SSP Korangi Fida Hussain Janwari had constituted an inquiry committee under the supervision of SDPO Landhi DSP Faiza Sodhar to determine whether the fatal bullet that struck the rickshaw passenger was fired by police or criminals during a reported encounter. The committee completed its investigation and submitted its findings to the SSP Korangi.

The report states that Komal was traveling in a rickshaw with her mother and younger brother when she was fatally wounded during an armed encounter between robbers and police in Landhi No6. Police officials confirmed that a confrontation took place between armed robbers and the Awami Colony police, during which one suspect was arrested in an injured condition, while the second robber managed to escape with looted cash and a laptop.

Speaking to The Express Tribune DSP Sodhar explained that as the fleeing robber reached Landhi No6, he opened fire on the Landhi police mobile unit. At the time, a rickshaw was moving ahead of the police vehicle. A bullet fired by the escaping robber shattered the rickshaw's glass and struck Komal, causing fatal injuries.

Police officials stressed that the investigation confirmed the bullet was fired by the criminal and not by law enforcement personnel. A search operation is currently underway to arrest the absconding suspect.

Meanwhile, the arrested robber, identified as Mola Bakhsh son of Munir Khan, has been found to have an extensive criminal history. Police revealed that he is a habitual offender and was wanted in multiple cases registered across several police stations, including Garden, Zaman Town, Gulistan-e-Johar, Gulshan-e-Iqbal, Gadap City, Bin Qasim, and Sukhan.

Authorities said that more than 10 cases, including charges of attempted murder, armed robbery, police encounter, and illegal possession of weapons, are registered against the suspect. Further investigations are ongoing, while police have assured the victim's family that legal proceedings will be pursued transparently.