Gun attack: ‘Weapon used in killing of two cops used in other murders’

The two policemen were attacked while conducting snap-checks in Hyderi

KARACHI: Police officials probing the killing of the two police constables in Hyderi, received a forensic report saying that the weapon used in their murder has earlier been used in murders of other policemen in the past.

According to the investigators, the same weapon was used in an attack on the police in New Town area and in the targeted killing of head constable Ghaffor this year on January 18 and constable Shahmir on January 26.

Shahnawaz and Aslam were shot dead by unidentified men in Hyderi. They were deployed on a security duty at the residence of slain senior lawyer Naimat Ali Randhawa, a former public prosecuter of the anti-terrorism court and leader of Pakistan Muslim League — Nawaz Sindh lawyer wing. However, at the time of incident the cops were conducting snap-checking on main North Nazimabad Road instead of performing their duties at Randhawa's residence.

Meanwhile, the funerals prayers for the two policemen of the North Nazimabad police station, Shahnawaz and Muhammad Aslam, were offered at the Police Headquarter Garden on Wednesday.

A police contingent presented a guard of honour and salute to the slain cops, at the funeral. Sindh IG Ghulam Hyder Jamali, Rangers director-general Major General Bilal Akbar, traffic AIG Khadim Hussain Bhatti, Zonal DIGs and other senior officials were also present at the funeral.

The provincial police chief and Rangers DG lauded the services of both the slain policemen and expressed their sorrow. Jamali announced compensation of Rs2 million each for the families of the victims, jobs for their family members and pensions. The police have registered an FIR No 178/15 against the unidentified shooters. The case was registered on behalf of the state at the North Nazimabad police station.

To serve justice: Focal interrogation group to investigate attacks on police

A focal interrogation group is being formed to investigate the attacks on police officers, the Sindh police announced during a meeting with Sindh IG Ghulam Hyder Jamali on Wednesday

The decision was taken following the frequent attacks on the policemen. Counter-Terrorism Department AIG Sanaullah Abbasi will be the incharge of the group, while the district SSPs and officials from the Criminal Investigation Agency will be the members of the group.

Following the recent attack on the policemen in Hyderi, in which two constables of the North Nazimabad police station lost their lives, the Sindh IG said that the case will be sent to the military courts.

The police spokesperson said that Jamali reviewed the development in the investigation of the cases of police officials who lost their lives in the first 10 months of this year.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 29^th, 2015.