Mariam Saqib death case: Police question hotel's security guard

KARACHI: The Karachi police department expedited the probe into the death case of a schoolgirl Mariam Saqib who was killed during the exchange of fire between a hotel’s security guard and dacoits in the Bufferzone area, ARY News reported on Thursday.

A seven-year-old schoolgirl namely Mariam Saqib got killed by a stray bullet during the exchange of fire between a security guard and dacoits in Karachi’s Bufferzone area early Thursday morning.

A four-member probe team was constituted by SSP Central Abdullah Chachar to ascertain facts and arrest the culprits.

The probe team will be led by SP Gulberg Jahandad while other members include DSP Shadman Town Muhammad Javaid, SHO Taimuria Zulfiqar Haider and SHO Shahrah-e-Noor Jahan Qamar Javed.

The security guard of a local hotel was identified as Ali Raza who confirmed the death of the minor girl during the exchange of fire between him and the dacoits.

Police officials told the media that they sent security guard’s 222 rifle for forensic examination.

They added that it is yet to be ascertained whether Mariam Saqib lost her life after receiving a bullet from a security guard’s weapon or by the firing of dacoits.

Police said the deceased schoolgirl’s family refused to pursue legal proceedings. They added that a case would be lodged on behalf of the state if the victim’s family refused to pursue legal action.

Police also recorded testimonies of eyewitnesses and the security guard.

A 7-year-old girl was killed in a mysterious shooting incident in a car in Karachi’s Buffer zone area on Thursday.

The incident occurred early Thursday morning when the minor girl, Maryam, was sitting in the back seat of the car when suddenly a bullet hit her in the head.

A bullet suddenly hit the child in the head and she was rushed to a hospital where she succumbed to her wounds, police said.

The child’s body was shifted to Abbasi Shaheed Hospital for medico-legal formalities.

According to police, the incident might have been caused by a stray bullet. Police added that they were still collecting information about the incident.