Judicial Complex attack: Top cops ordered to launch joint investigation

Asked to make use of latest technology, expertise of other departments.

PESHAWAR:

The Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) Home and Tribal Affairs Department has ordered an investigation into Monday’s suicide attack on the Judicial Complex.

Provincial Police Chief Akbar Khan Hoti and Chief Capital Police Officer (CCPO) Imtiaz Altaf have been directed to constitute a team of experienced investigators to probe the incident and reach a conclusion so that culprits can be punished, said a notification issued by the department on Friday.

Both police officials have been asked to consult relevant departments to benefit from the expertise of other investigators and jointly probe the matter from different angles.



Divulging information, an official said the inquiry has been ordered by Home Secretary Muhammad Azam Khan.

He added it would be very early to term it a security lapse as the police managed to gun down one bomber and chased the second one till he detonated his suicide vest.

The official said senior officers have been asked to use all the modern means and latest technology at their disposal to bring the perpetrators to justice. The police have been directed to share developments with the home department as well.

Two suicide bombers stormed the Judicial Complex in Peshawar on Monday, killing four people and wounding another 47. The attackers, armed with assault rifles and hand grenades, opened indiscriminate fire as they made their way through multi-layered security at the complex.



One bomber was gunned down by the police before he could reach his target, while the second one detonated his suicide vest inside the building.

Peshawar High Court Chief justice Dost Muhammad Khan has already termed the incident an attack on the judiciary and is reportedly heading another inquiry team probing the incident.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 23^rd, 2013.