The naked gun: Hayatabad – modern but unsafe

Suicide bombing, sectarian violence surges in the locality

PESHAWAR:

Hayatabad is considered a posh locality which boasts modern facilities. However, the rising crime rate in the area belies this image and goes to show that modernity cannot simply be translated into security for its residents. 

Even though there are two police stations in the neighbourhood, Hayatabad has been an ideal location for kidnappers, thieves, car lifters and mobile snatchers.

In the past, around 60% of people who were kidnapped from the city were being kept in the ‘safe houses’ in the area. Earlier, in September and November 2008, a large number of diplomats from Iran and Afghanistan were kidnapped in broad daylight only a few hundred yards away from Hayatabad police station.

Over time, the kidnapping sprees were replaced by an ever-increasing number of extortion cases. Initially, the police and other law-enforcement agencies did not pay attention to this hike in criminal activities. Some believe the relevant authorities turned a blind eye to the crime-infested locality as most of the victims were rich Afghan traders who had large businesses in Karkhano Market. However, the recurring nature of crime soon compelled them to take notice. Extortion cases, bomb blasts and rocket and mortar attacks were also quite rampant in the past.

Once upon a crime

In 2015, a large number of residents have become victims of multiple suicide attacks and sectarian violence.

In January, Dr Syed Asim Hussain was gunned down in Hayatabad. Qaiser Hussain, a resident of Kohat who was a manager at a pharmaceutical unit in Hayatabad Industrial Estate, also fell victim to a sectarian attack in February. In the same month, Imamia Masjid in Hayatabad was attacked, leaving casualties in its wake.

In March, Colonel Tahir Khan was shot dead in Phase-III, Hayatabad by two armed motorcyclists. In April, a man died in Bagh-e-Naran after he planted an improvised explosive device by a roadside that went off prematurely. In May, a car with Shia passengers was fired at, leaving many dead. In June, Frontier Reserve Police Deputy Commandant Malik Tariq was severely injured while two of his gunmen were killed during a suicide attack. Five other suicide bombing have been reported in Hayatabad this year.

On August 14, a police van patrolling near Khyber Chowk was attacked by two armed men. At least three people, including two policemen, were severely injured.

The how and why

Speaking to The Express Tribune, Cantt SP Rana Umar Farooq said there are many reasons why miscreants have managed to orchestrate these attacks.

“Hayatabad is adjacent to Khyber Agency,” he said. “As a result, proximity might be one of the reasons why militants have been able to access the locality. Furthermore, there is a nullah which allows militants easy entry. In the past, there were steel bars in the nullah. However, they have either been removed or stolen.”

According to Farooq, a large number of militants have also managed to enter surreptitiously through boundary wall between Hayatabad and Khyber Agency.

“It would be impossible for us to deploy police constables across this boundary wall,” he said. “There are many holes in the walls which enable militants to enter the locality. We have repeatedly sent pictures of this wall to the relevant authorities, asking them to repair it. However, no one has paid any attention to the matter.”

However, Farooq said after a recent crackdown against anti-social elements, the crime rate in Hayatabad had declined considerably.

Collateral damage

A police official said Hayatabad is home to the headquarters of Frontier Corps and Frontier Constabulary.“Most rocket and mortar attacks are aimed at these headquarters,” he said. “However, it is unfortunate that so many civilians lose their lives because of these attacks.”

According to the official, military offensives against militants have weakened their capabilities and they only go for unguarded targets.

Home is where the heart isn’t

Residents of the area have been inconvenienced by the spate of crime. “Vehicles parked outside private and government hospitals and even mosques are stolen,” said Saeed Khan, a resident of Phase-IV, Hayatabad.

Ijaz Khan, another resident, told The Express Tribune living in Hayatabad in the past few years has been difficult. “However, the situation is gradually improving,” he said. “We can only hope for the best.”

Published in The Express Tribune, August 16^th, 2015.