KARACHI: As a three-member committee tasked to investigate the killing of Naqeeb Ullah Mehsud found that the South Waziristan youngster was killed in a staged encounter on the outskirts of Karachi, the Sindh police chief on Saturday removed Malir SSP Rao Anwar Ahmed Khan from his post and approached the interior ministry for placing his name on the exit control list.

Although the period of the inquiry has been extended to five days from three days, the probe body headed by Counter Terrorism Department chief Sanaullah Abbasi and comprising DIGs Azad Khan and Sultan Khowaja submitted their initial findings to the inspector general of police on Saturday, declaring the Jan 13 encounter in which four men, including Mehsud, were killed “fake” and “staged”.

Sources familiar with the preliminary findings of the probe told Dawn that the team visited the site of the alleged encounter in Shah Latif Town off National Highway, recorded statement of several policemen, including Rao Anwar and area SHO Amanullah Marwat, who took part in the encounter.

IGP wants former Malir SSP, others’ names put on ECL; probe team to meet victim’s family

The SHO told the team that on a lead provided by an intelligence agency they conducted a targeted raid at a deserted poultry farm, where they came under an armed attack. During an exchange of gunfire, four men, including Naseemullah Mehsud, better known as Naqeeb Ullah, were killed, he added.

However, the sources said after a thorough examination of the poultry farm, the inquiry team was of the considered view that the encounter was a fake and staged since it did not find any evidence that the police came under attack from inside the farm.

No history of militancy

The probe body also found out that Naqeeb Ullah did not have any militancy tendency and it appeared that he was living a happy family life with future goals.

Earlier on Friday, the team also visited the Karachi central prison to meet an incarcerated militant, Qari Ehsan, as SSP Rao claimed that Naqeeb Ullah was one of his accomplices. However, the Qari did not identify Naqeeb when the team showed him different pictures.

In its report submitted to IGP A.D. Khowaja on Saturday, the committee was of the “unanimous opinion” that in order to ensure a “fair and transparent enquiry” of the incident and investigation of the case, Rao Anwar and SP-Investigation-II (East) Malik Altaf Sarwar may be transferred and placed under suspension.

According to a police statement, the team suggested that the names of Rao Anwar and the police team took part in the alleged encounter may be placed on the ECL.

A notification said that acting on the recommendation of the committee, the IGP transferred the Malir SSP and SP-Investigation and directed them to report to the Central Police Office.

The IGP also wrote a letter to the Sindh chief secretary asking him to place the two officers under ‘suspension’ as recommended by the committee.

He wrote another letter to the interior ministry for placement of the names of SP Rao Anwar and the police team on the ECL immediately.

IG Khowaja also directed Karachi police chief Mushtaq Mahar to take necessary action against the police team in accordance with the rules in the light of the recommendations of the body.

The city police chief had also been asked to ensure that the incumbent SSP-Malir and SP-Investigation-II (East) shall finalise the investigation of the case “strictly on merits in a professional manner”.

“The inquiry is under progress and the committee has been directed to complete the probe after examining heirs of the deceased and the police party and submit its conclusive findings within five days,” a police spokesperson said.

New Malir SSP posted

SSP Adeel Hussain Chandio has been transferred from the City district and posted with immediate effect as new SSP-Malir.

SSP-Kamber Sheeraz Nazeer has been transferred and posted as City SSP, while Clifton SP Dr Assad Ijaz Malhi posted as SSP-Kamber.

SP Abid Hussain Qaimkhani has been posted as SP Investigation-II (East).

Published in Dawn, January 21st, 2018