RAWALPINDI: Following a major security lapse which resulted in the killing of a man and injuries to his guard outside the Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) here two days ago, 23 police personnel deployed at the commissioner, deputy commissioner, SP Saddar offices and the ATC have been suspended and charge sheeted.

The police personnel appeared before an inquiry officer on Friday and received their charge sheets. Following the submission of explanations, the investigation against the police officials will be concluded.

Raja Danial Iqbal, a land provider to Mega City Housing Society in Gujar Khan, and his gunman Asim Rashid were attacked by their rivals while they were on way to the ATC to attend the hearing of a pre-arrest bail application on Wednesday.

The scene of crime is located adjacent to the office of the SP Saddar Division and not far away from the offices of the commissioner, deputy commissioner, where police guards are deployed round-the-clock and entry of individuals is subjected to questioning and body search.

However, the armed men managed to escape after the incident as none of the police officials tried to intercept them.

Senior Superintendent of Police (Operations) Kashif Zulfiqar took notice of the major security lapse, charge-sheeted the police personnel and initiated a departmental inquiry against them. Shahida Yasmin, Deputy Superintendent of Police Admin, was appointed as the inquiry officer.

The inquiry officer summoned all the 23 police officers and personnel, including Inspector Fazal Ahmed, Sub-Inspector Munir Ahmed, three ASIs and as many head constables and 15 constables.

Letters were issued to the in-charge guards of the ATC, the deputy commissioner and commissioner, old court and the Safe City and Judges Guest House.

The city police officer (CPO) has formed police teams to arrest the killers.

However, so far the police have been unable to arrest the killers. An FIR of the incident has been registered at the Civil Lines police station under section 7 of the Anti-Terrorism Act and section 302 of Pakistan Penal Code (PPC).

Published in Dawn, January 18th, 2025

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