In the line of duty

In the defensive battle being fought against extremists in our cities, the frontlines are being manned by the police. The prevalence of checkpoints in major urban areas means that suicide bombers are likely to detonate immediately upon being caught, implying that policemen ought to be ready to sacrifice their lives in order to save the rest of us. In Karachi, there is an added wrinkle with the Taliban specifically targeting policemen. At least 80 policemen have been killed this year, with around a dozen being targets of terrorists. There have been further attacks on policemen such as the suicide blast in Malir in April that seemed to be targeting SSP Rao Anwar just as he was on his way to court to testify against the Sipah-e-Sahaba in a murder case. Last year, a bomb attack targeted Chaudhry Aslam of the CID, who was responsible for the arrests of many Taliban members.

The effects of these killings and murder attempts are chilling. If cops know that their work will likely lead to their placement on a kill list, they are less likely to take on the Taliban, which means fewer Taliban members will be arrested. Furthermore, policemen will be terrified to investigate cases of militant violence or testify openly in court. The fear of retribution will surely lead to greater impunity on the part of militants. This danger extends not just to policemen but also prosecutors and judges, thereby closing off the legal avenue as a potential tool in the fight against militancy.

In Karachi, militant violence is slightly different from that in the rest of the country. Here, Taliban members use kidnappings and extortion as a means of raising funds for their brethren in the tribal areas. Large swathes of Karachi, including areas such as Sohrab Goth, play host to militants who seem to operate there without fear. The political parties in these areas are themselves unable to take action against the militants since they, too, may end up in the Taliban’s cross hairs. A concerted citywide effort is needed to root out the militant menace but this will not be possible until cops know that their families will be protected and looked after even if they die in the line of duty and if foolproof security is provided to everyone else who has to deal with the Taliban.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 31^st, 2012.