Karachi traffic police under attack: DSP killed, another escapes unhurt

KARACHI: Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Airport Traffic Police Faiz Ali Shagri was shot dead, while DSP Gulberg Traffic Police Zafar Hussain escaped unhurt on Sunday in separate incidents of deadly targeted attacks in Karachi, ARY News reported.

The DSP Airport was killed and his driver injured when unknown assailants riding a bike opened fire on a vehicle of traffic police on Rashid Minhas road near Lal Flats within Sharae Faisal police station limits. The victim was later shifted to a hospital for medico-legal formalities.

Police said 13 shells of 9mm pistol’s bullet were recovered from site of the incident, while further investigation was underway.

In another incident, DSP Gulberg Traffic Police Zafar Hussain escaped a deadly attack on University Road in Gulistan-e-Johar.

Police said four assailants riding a bike carried out the attack and they were forced to flee after police retaliated.

This incident took place within half an hour of the attack on Shagri.

Earlier, in May the following year, two traffic police officers were killed in an armed attack near Ayesha Manzil area, while a sub-inspector was gunned down in September.

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Read More: Sub-inspector traffic police gunned down in Karachi

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Chief Minister Sindh Murad Ali Shah has taken notice and demanded report on the incidents from Inspector General Sindh Police AD Khawaja.

Pak Sarzameen Party condemned the killing of police officers and expressed remorse over the incidents.

Separately, a man was targeted outside his house in Kaneez Fatima Society within Sachchal police station limits today.

IG Sindh specific officers being targeted

IG Sindh Police said one gang involved in targeting policemen was uprooted, while another group has become active in the recent incidents, which was targeting specific officers.

He said evidences were collected from the locations and culprits would soon be rounded up and given severe punishment.

Khawaja expressed suspicion that a banned outfit could be involved in the recent firing incidents, however a formal statement in this regard would be issued after completing investigation.

‘Men in white’ laced with weapons

Last year in September, the traffic police officials were laced with weapons to protect themselves following growing targeted killing.

The then DIG traffic police Ameer Ahmed Shaikh had said that four traffic policemen were martyred in 2013 and five in 2014.

While, six policemen were targeted in 2015 only till September, he said adding that now the force was compelled to take arms.

Earlier, traffic police did not carry guns, however this is a common sight now.