Snap shot of video footage of the firing incident in Karachi.

KARACHI: A young man was gunned down by Rangers on Wednesday evening in an alleged ‘encounter’ that appeared to be killing from firing at point-blank range in a footage released hours after the incident.

A spokesman for the Sindh Rangers said the 25-year-old Sarfaraz Shah was killed after an encounter with Rangers personnel deployed outside the Benazir Shaheed Park in the city’s Boat Basin area after he was ‘caught red-handed’ while snatching cash and valuables from visitors.

“A man approached the Rangers personnel deputed outside Benazir Shaheed Park with a complaint against a young bandit inside the park,” said the spokesman for the Sindh Rangers. “The Rangers officials went inside the park and spotted the youngster who fired at them. The return fire from the Rangers killed the bandit.”

The Sindh Rangers spokesman, however, did not give any details about arms and valuables recovered from the alleged bandit.

But, hours after the incident, family members, neighbours and relatives demonstrated outside the Chief Minister’s House carrying the body of Sarfaraz. They accused the Rangers of faking the encounter and called for registration of an FIR against the officials involved in the firing.

Their allegation appeared to be correct when footages aired on news channels showed the unarmed youngster had been shot from a very close range by one of six Rangers personnel gathered around him. The footages showed Sarfaraz, younger brother of a local journalist, pleading for mercy.

After the video footages broadcast by the news channels, the Sindh Rangers spokesman said an inquiry had been ordered.

Opinion

Editorial

Judiciary’s SOS
Updated 28 Mar, 2024

Judiciary’s SOS

The ball is now in CJP Isa’s court, and he will feel pressure to take action.
Data protection
28 Mar, 2024

Data protection

WHAT do we want? Data protection laws. When do we want them? Immediately. Without delay, if we are to prevent ...
Selling humans
28 Mar, 2024

Selling humans

HUMAN traders feed off economic distress; they peddle promises of a better life to the impoverished who, mired in...
New terror wave
Updated 27 Mar, 2024

New terror wave

The time has come for decisive government action against militancy.
Development costs
27 Mar, 2024

Development costs

A HEFTY escalation of 30pc in the cost of ongoing federal development schemes is one of the many decisions where the...
Aitchison controversy
Updated 27 Mar, 2024

Aitchison controversy

It is hoped that higher authorities realise that politics and nepotism have no place in schools.