Suicide attack: Karachi cop dies in eighth attempt on life

KARACHI:

It was the eighth attack that took the life of Shafiq Tanoli, the cop who defeated death seven times. Police inspector Tanoli, the former chief of the Special Investigation Team (SIT), was sitting at a tailor’s shop near his residence at Pakhtun Chowk in the Old Sabzi Mandi area of District East, Karachi, when a powerful explosion took place at around 8:45 in the morning, killing him and three of his neighbours and relatives on the spot; at least two others were wounded in the attack.

This was the same spot where Tanoli was targeted four months ago. In that attack, Tanoli was severely injured and his driver and two guards did not survive the attack.

In the last attack, Tanoli said a young man rammed his motorcycle into his car as Tanoli approached his residence. The man jumped from the motorcycle just before it made contact with the car and exploded. This time, however, investigators say a suicide bombing took place.

“We have found the bomber’s head and fingers and efforts are underway to identify the bomber,” District East SSP Pir Mohammad Shah told The Express Tribune. “Apparently, the same group was behind this attack and the one four months ago.” Shah said Tanoli’s neighbourhood was a sensitive spot for him and he was scheduled to move residence.

The injured and the deceased were moved to Jinnah hospital. “We have received the head but have yet to ascertain his identity as the police have yet to see whether it belongs to the suicide bomber or not,” JPMC’s Joint Executive Director Dr Seemin Jamali said.

The bomb disposal squad has not issued its final report on the nature of the blast. “We cannot say anything exactly about the nature of the blast as our efforts are still underway,” a BD expert told The Express Tribune. He said that around three to four kilogrammes of explosives, including ball bearings, was used in the bombing.

Tanoli, aged 46, joined the police force in 1989 when he was in his early twenties. During his service, he worked for the CID and also served as SHO to various police stations including Pak Colony, Mauripur, Liaquatabad, Super Market and Sacchal. He was active during the Karachi operation in the 1990s. His work brought him into contact with everyone from street criminals and drug peddlers to gangsters, political party members and militants; however, he made headlines when he pursued killers of journalist Wali Khan Babar, shot in 2011; Tanoli killed one of Babar’s murderers and arrested five other suspects.

Tanoli had survived no less than seven deadly attacks during his career and reportedly received multiple threats from militant outfits. “Since he killed two militants in November last year, they decided to take revenge,” says a senior police investigator.

Police inspector Tanoli was reverted and appointed ASI after being suspended by IGP Sindh a couple of weeks ago over misusing his authority and faced several inquiries. “My brother would probably still be with us if he had not been suspended and was provided with proper security,” said Rasheed Tanoli. “I will nominate senior police officers in the FIR as they are also responsible for my brother’s killing.”

DIG Khalique Shaikh, who was holding inquiries against Tanoli, refuted Rasheed’s claim. “Tanoli was a brave officer and was special for us,” he said. “He was among the few officers working against militants without any fear.”

Cases adjourned

As the court called on Shafiq Tanoli to explain allegations against him, the judges were informed that the respondent official defying their notices was no longer able to respond to the allegations as he was killed in a suicide attack.

At least three petitions were being heard at the Sindh High Court during the hours when Tanoli was killed.

Petitioner Kifayatullah had accused Shafiq Tanoli of taking away his brother Ghulamullah and a dozen other relatives from Masroor Colony on February 19. He said Tanoli had made his own private force, which kidnapped citizens and detained them until they received a bribe.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 25^th, 2014.