ISLAMABAD: The deputy inspector general of police (operations) has ordered an inquiry into the attack on a police team on Monday while they were transporting two people accused of murder as negligence and violations of security protocol were found, senior police officers told Dawn.

Besides, connivance of police officer (s) with the attackers was also found, they said, adding that according to the first information report (FIR) a woman identified as Nasreen Bibi was injured.

A case has been registered with the Counter Terrorism Department police station under 7 Anti-Terrorism Act (ATA) along with sections 324, 353, 186, 148, 149 and 427 of the Pakistan Penal Code (PPC) against six persons but only one of them was identified, the officers said.

The man who was nominated in the first information report (FIR) was identified as the uncle of Abrar, who both suspects have been accused of killing.

Talking to Dawn, the police officers said that DIG Afzaal Ahmed Kauser had ordered an inquiry into the attack and senior superintendent of police (Counter Terrorism Department) has been asked to probe the issue and fix responsibility.

Instead of transporting the accused in an official vehicle and taking all security measures, three officials of Golra police station used an impounded white Margalla, they said, adding that this showed that the police’s attitude was casual.

The DIG asked the SSP to find out whether the private vehicle was used on the directives of some senior officer(s) or the decision to use it was their own.

Six people armed with weapons, riding on a Surf Hilux and a motorcycle, were waiting for the police team in E-11, the officers said, adding that the circumstances suggested that they had prior information about their movement.

The gunmen started firing at the moving Margalla when it reached E-11, the officers said, adding that a policeman retaliated and as a result four attackers riding in the double cabin and two on the motorcycle escaped from the spot on foot, leaving behind the two vehicles there.

The investigators identified owners of both vehicles but so far none of them has been arrested, the officers said, adding that police believe that the attack was carried out to kill the two murder accused.

The officers added that negligence of police officials was found in the killing of the housing society owner, his associate and a gunman in two other attacks conducted near Industrial Area police station and Bukhari Chowk.

Names of the accused nominated in separate FIRs of the two attacks were put in the Provisional National Identification List (PNIL) so they will be captured if they attempt to leave the country, the officers said, adding that after the attack police traced the location of one of the accused, nominated in the FIR in Dubai, and the other two in Karachi.

CCTV footage of Safe City cameras was also examined and people who conducted the attack near the police station were identified. However, the vehicles are yet to be traced along with the suspects.

Earlier, in July, the complainant of a case lodged a complaint in the office of the SSP (investigation) seeking to transfer investigation of the case involving murder of a man in a housing society office, alleging that “police were favouring the accused”.

In response, the SSP, in a letter to the SP had asked to hold an inquiry and submit a report.

The inquiry is still pending, the officials said.

Inspector General of Police Qazi Jamilur Rehman when asked about the connivance of police officers and whether any action was taken against them said that the director public relations would brief on the matter.

Senior Superintendent of Police (Operations) Dr Syed Mustafa Tanweer said that Mr Kauser ordered an inquiry into the attack on the police team.

“Let the inquiry be completed as it will establish the involvement of police officials if there is any,” he added.

The police team used a private white Margalla and this was a violation of rules, he added.

When contacted, Mr Kauser said that the attack on the police team while transporting the murder accused was due to negligence. So far involvement of police officer(s) in the attack is yet to be established, he added.

Using of impounded vehicles by officials is illegal and considered misuse of power, the DIG added.

About the police connivance with the group, behind the attacks at owners of the housing society, he said inquiry will be conducted if the complainant (Malik Tahir, injured in one of the attacks) requested.

Strict action will be taken against police officer(s) if they are found to be involved in any of the attacks, he added.

Published in Dawn, September 29th, 2021