Clueless cops: Police grasping at straws
No breakthrough in investigation yet; three committees formed.
Investigators sifting through the rubble in one of the damaged rooms in the district courts. PHOTO: ONLINE
ISLAMABAD:
Nearly two days after an assault that exposed the capital’s vulnerability, the police have yet to arrest anyone in connection with the gun-and-bomb terrorist attack at the city district courts.
Chances of a breakthrough may be affected by the investigators’ narrow focus on viewing the assault as a targeted attack on a judge to the exclusion of other aspects.
On Monday, the Islamabad district courts witnessed scenes of death and destruction for the second time in seven years when two suicide bombers and their armed accomplices attacked the compound and killed 11 people, including Additional District and Sessions Judge (ADSJ) Malik Rafaqat Ahmed Awan. The police have failed to arrest anyone but three committees have been constituted as is the norm after high-profiles incidents, said a police officer privy to the investigation.
The first committee formed by Islamabad Chief Commissioner Jawad Paul is headed by Operations SSP Dr Rizwan Ahmed, the second committee is headed by City SP Capt (retd) Mustansar Feroze and a third is headed by Investigation SP Capt (retd) Muhammad Ilyas. No progress has been made so far, however, as the investigators are convinced that Justice Awan was the main target and believe that was the main motive of the attack.
According to Islamabad Inspector General of Police (IGP) Sikander Hayat the ADSJ was the target. “We cannot rule out other possibilities and investigations are under way; let the committees dig out something,’’ he added, while engaging in an informal talk with a few journalists outside the apex court.
Hayat said DNA tests of the suicide attackers were being carried out which usuallytakes four to five days but the police had requested that the process be to completed in the next two days. Responding to a question, the IGP said that the Shuhada Foundation would be investigated if needed. In April last year, the ADSJ had rejected an application filed by Shuhada Foundation to request the registration of a First Information Report against former military dictator Gen. (retd) Pervez Musharraf for ordering the Lal Masjid operation.
The police have recorded statements of 55 witnesses, including 32 police officers, three lawyers, nine officials of civil defence and 11 civilians who were injured.
Securing the courts
On the Supreme Court’s directive, Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT) administration will install four walk-through gates and 16 CCTV cameras in courts. Islamabad Police and ICT administration officials, including Paul and Islamabad Deputy Commissioner DC Mujahid Sherdil met in the city courts. “All entrances will be closed and only four gates will be operational for lawyers and litigant, said the IGP. New CCTV cameras will be installed in two days as the main objective is to secure the courts.
Judicial commission
The judicial commission formed by IHC Chief Justice Muhammad Anwar Khan Kasi will start its proceedings on Wednesday at a sessions court. Headed by Justice Shaukat Aziz Siddiqui, commission members on Tuesday visited the courts and lawyers’ chambers. “The commission is likely to summon witnesses on its first hearing today, said Imran Sikandari, the commission’s focal person. After completing its proceedings, the commission will submit its report to the Islamabad High Court (IHC) chief justice in a week.
Early in the morning IHC Chief Justice Kasi met with judges of the district courts, while the apex court chief justice also ordered the police to ensure fool-proof security for judges and lawyers.
Published in The Express Tribune, March 5th, 2014.
Nearly two days after an assault that exposed the capital’s vulnerability, the police have yet to arrest anyone in connection with the gun-and-bomb terrorist attack at the city district courts.
Chances of a breakthrough may be affected by the investigators’ narrow focus on viewing the assault as a targeted attack on a judge to the exclusion of other aspects.
On Monday, the Islamabad district courts witnessed scenes of death and destruction for the second time in seven years when two suicide bombers and their armed accomplices attacked the compound and killed 11 people, including Additional District and Sessions Judge (ADSJ) Malik Rafaqat Ahmed Awan. The police have failed to arrest anyone but three committees have been constituted as is the norm after high-profiles incidents, said a police officer privy to the investigation.
The first committee formed by Islamabad Chief Commissioner Jawad Paul is headed by Operations SSP Dr Rizwan Ahmed, the second committee is headed by City SP Capt (retd) Mustansar Feroze and a third is headed by Investigation SP Capt (retd) Muhammad Ilyas. No progress has been made so far, however, as the investigators are convinced that Justice Awan was the main target and believe that was the main motive of the attack.
According to Islamabad Inspector General of Police (IGP) Sikander Hayat the ADSJ was the target. “We cannot rule out other possibilities and investigations are under way; let the committees dig out something,’’ he added, while engaging in an informal talk with a few journalists outside the apex court.
Hayat said DNA tests of the suicide attackers were being carried out which usuallytakes four to five days but the police had requested that the process be to completed in the next two days. Responding to a question, the IGP said that the Shuhada Foundation would be investigated if needed. In April last year, the ADSJ had rejected an application filed by Shuhada Foundation to request the registration of a First Information Report against former military dictator Gen. (retd) Pervez Musharraf for ordering the Lal Masjid operation.
The police have recorded statements of 55 witnesses, including 32 police officers, three lawyers, nine officials of civil defence and 11 civilians who were injured.
Securing the courts
On the Supreme Court’s directive, Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT) administration will install four walk-through gates and 16 CCTV cameras in courts. Islamabad Police and ICT administration officials, including Paul and Islamabad Deputy Commissioner DC Mujahid Sherdil met in the city courts. “All entrances will be closed and only four gates will be operational for lawyers and litigant, said the IGP. New CCTV cameras will be installed in two days as the main objective is to secure the courts.
Judicial commission
The judicial commission formed by IHC Chief Justice Muhammad Anwar Khan Kasi will start its proceedings on Wednesday at a sessions court. Headed by Justice Shaukat Aziz Siddiqui, commission members on Tuesday visited the courts and lawyers’ chambers. “The commission is likely to summon witnesses on its first hearing today, said Imran Sikandari, the commission’s focal person. After completing its proceedings, the commission will submit its report to the Islamabad High Court (IHC) chief justice in a week.
Early in the morning IHC Chief Justice Kasi met with judges of the district courts, while the apex court chief justice also ordered the police to ensure fool-proof security for judges and lawyers.
Published in The Express Tribune, March 5th, 2014.