KARACHI: Three policemen were suspended after relatives of a suspect killed in an alleged encounter earlier in the day staged a protest demonstration against the police for failing to take him to hospital on time, officials said.

Quaidabad SHO Ghulam Husain Pirzada said that a police patrol had signalled two men to stop for checking in the Kala Pani area of Bilal Town near Chishtia Astana in the small hours of Tuesday morning. However, the suspects resorted to firing and in an ensuing exchange of gunfire, one armed suspect was shot dead while his accomplice managed to escape.

The police claimed to have recovered a .30-bore pistol from his custody. The body was shifted to the Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre where he was identified as Atif Naseem Khan, 26. He was a resident of the same area.

In the evening, Atif’s relatives and area residents took the coffin to main Daud Chowrangi in Quaidabad and staged a sit-in there. Their protest led to the suspension of vehicular on all four routes of the key roundabout, said a traffic police spokesperson.

Malir SP suspends three policemen, orders inquiry into family’s allegation

Malir SP Saeed Rind rushed to the spot and held successful talks with the protesters.

SHO Pirzada said that the relatives were protesting over alleged negligence of the policemen for not sending the wounded suspect to a hospital.

He said deceased Atif had suffered bullet wounds in the leg and the protesters claimed he died of excessive bleeding as he was not taken to hospital on time while the policemen claimed that the ambulance arrived late.

He said Malir SP had suspended three policemen who took part in the encounter and an inquiry would be conducted to ascertain their possible negligence.

Man held for gang rape of woman

Police on Tuesday claimed to have arrested a man who, along with his friends, gang-raped a woman over promise of marriage.

DIG-South Syed Asad Raza said that the woman had lodged an FIR against the suspect under Sections 376 (punishment for rape), 337-A (hurt on the head or face of any person) and 34 (common intention) of the Pakistan Penal Code at the Pak Colony police station.

He said that utilizing technology the police traced the suspect and arrested him.

He said that a team was established to ensure the arrest of his accomplices.

Published in Dawn, July 10th, 2024