THE Sindh government has reportedly launched an ‘operation’ against suspects involved in the ongoing violence in Karachi.

According to reports, Rangers and the police will launch an across - the - board targeted operation and without any political interference and had been given ‘shoot on sight’ orders for criminals and kidnappers. It seems difficult to maintain peace.

However, there are reports that police officers who had been a part of the 1992 operation cleanup have refused to participate as they are afraid that they and their families would have to face the consequences after the operation concludes and, particularly, when the government completes its tenure.

They have a good reason to back out because when the ‘Operation Cleanup’ of 1992 had ended and the then government was removed, many officers of the Sindh police were targeted by criminal elements seeking revenge.

According to official figures, 941 police officers have been killed to date in revenge attacks, and 311 of them had been actively involved in the ‘Operation Cleanup’. The police were unable to investigate these cases, let alone make any arrests, due to political pressure.

Perhaps one way to motivate the officers to take part in the operation is to compensate the families of the slain police officers and also bring their killers to book.

Besides, the Karachi police need to be revamped. An example of the British police is available. The British police are highly paid and they are well educated and also very well - trained. They can stand up to an emergency situation and do not run away from the scene of crime and leave defenceless citizens at the mercy of thugs as we see in Karachi.

The Karachi police should have a section of counter - terrorism commandos who should be highly paid and highly educated and well - equipped. For logistic purposes there should be helicopter - borne police who can reach the scene of crime within the shortest possible time. They should be highly trained and have most modern weapons so that they can face terrorists who murder people with impunity.

If the performance of the police had been improved at the right time and reforms had been implemented, perhaps the situation today would have been much different.

ZULFIQAR ALI DOMKI Kashmore