Karachi operation: 138 police officers killed so far
Most of the officers were being killed in the District West area of Karachi.
Most of the officers were being killed in the District West area of Karachi. PHOTO: AFP/ FILE
KARACHI:
At least 138 police officers and constables have lost their lives in Karachi in an ongoing operation against criminals that began on September 7, a Sindh police spokesperson said on Thursday.
Those who lost lives in the line of duty include, two deputy superintendents of police, three inspectors, 13 sub-inspectors, 16 assistant sub-inspectors, 26 head constables and 78 constables. More than 162 policemen have sustained injuries during numerous attacks on the force.
The spokesperson, Dr Moizuddin Pirzada, stated that most of the officers were killed in the city’s West district, which is home to one of the most sensitive areas of Kemari, SITE, Baldia and Orangi.
He added that the reaction to the operation was not limited to Karachi only as around 16 officers and constables have lost lives in other parts of the province, while at least 31 had sustained injuries.
Targeted Operation
The targeted operation started in Karachi after Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif visited the metropolitan last month in a bid to devise a strategy to curb violence.
“It is a matter of satisfaction that all political parties are on the same page for a targeted action to restore peace,” the prime minister had said.
With the provincial government on board, the prime minister gave a go-ahead to the paramilitary force to conduct raids and arrest criminals with the help of the police. Subsequently, the operation began on September 7 and since then hundreds of suspects have been arrested.
The Prime Minister, while speaking at the Sindh governor house had especially highlighted the prevalent flaws in the system of investigation and prosecution that lead to acquittal of criminals.
The Karachi police chief, DIG Shahid Hayat, while talking to The Express Tribune on Thursday appeared adamant that the mass police roundups and detentions of criminals will not end up the same way this time.
“We will make sure that all of these criminals will be brought to justice through the courts with a skilled investigation to help the prosecution,” he added.
Earlier, while speaking to the media at the funeral of the slain station house officer of Sir Syed Police, Irfan Haider, who was gunned down in North Karachi along with the station investigation officer, Shahbaz Bhatti on Wednesday night, DIG Hayat said that such attacks and serious losses will not deter the police to slow down its operations against the criminals.
“We will not get intimidated,” he said. “Despite their fierce reprisal and manoeuvrings, the police will continue,” he added.
Meanwhile, the Sindh Rangers, who are leading the operation, once again rejected the allegations of targeting a specific political group.
“The operation is being conducted across the city and not just in the political strongholds of any specific political party,” said the Rangers spokesperson.
At least 138 police officers and constables have lost their lives in Karachi in an ongoing operation against criminals that began on September 7, a Sindh police spokesperson said on Thursday.
Those who lost lives in the line of duty include, two deputy superintendents of police, three inspectors, 13 sub-inspectors, 16 assistant sub-inspectors, 26 head constables and 78 constables. More than 162 policemen have sustained injuries during numerous attacks on the force.
The spokesperson, Dr Moizuddin Pirzada, stated that most of the officers were killed in the city’s West district, which is home to one of the most sensitive areas of Kemari, SITE, Baldia and Orangi.
He added that the reaction to the operation was not limited to Karachi only as around 16 officers and constables have lost lives in other parts of the province, while at least 31 had sustained injuries.
Targeted Operation
The targeted operation started in Karachi after Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif visited the metropolitan last month in a bid to devise a strategy to curb violence.
“It is a matter of satisfaction that all political parties are on the same page for a targeted action to restore peace,” the prime minister had said.
With the provincial government on board, the prime minister gave a go-ahead to the paramilitary force to conduct raids and arrest criminals with the help of the police. Subsequently, the operation began on September 7 and since then hundreds of suspects have been arrested.
The Prime Minister, while speaking at the Sindh governor house had especially highlighted the prevalent flaws in the system of investigation and prosecution that lead to acquittal of criminals.
The Karachi police chief, DIG Shahid Hayat, while talking to The Express Tribune on Thursday appeared adamant that the mass police roundups and detentions of criminals will not end up the same way this time.
“We will make sure that all of these criminals will be brought to justice through the courts with a skilled investigation to help the prosecution,” he added.
Earlier, while speaking to the media at the funeral of the slain station house officer of Sir Syed Police, Irfan Haider, who was gunned down in North Karachi along with the station investigation officer, Shahbaz Bhatti on Wednesday night, DIG Hayat said that such attacks and serious losses will not deter the police to slow down its operations against the criminals.
“We will not get intimidated,” he said. “Despite their fierce reprisal and manoeuvrings, the police will continue,” he added.
Meanwhile, the Sindh Rangers, who are leading the operation, once again rejected the allegations of targeting a specific political group.
“The operation is being conducted across the city and not just in the political strongholds of any specific political party,” said the Rangers spokesperson.