SSP Rao Anwar sacked over Naqeebullah's alleged encounter
The development came after probe into Naqeebullah Mehsud's extrajudicial killing.
KARACHI (Dunya News) - Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Malir Rao Anwar was sacked from his post on Saturday following the probe into Naqeebullah Mehsud’s extrajudicial killing in an alleged police encounter in Karachi.
The inquiry committee had recommended removing Rao Anwar after no evidence pertaining to Naqeeb’s involvement in terrorism was found and the encounter was termed as ‘suspicious’.
"The committee is of unanimous opinion that in order to ensure fair and transparent enquiry of the incident and investigation into the case, SSP Malir Rao Anwar and SP Investigation-II East Malik Altaf Sarwar may be transferred and placed under suspension," reads the press release issued by Inspector General of Police Sindh AD Khowaja.
According to IGP Khowaja , further action will be taken against Rao Anwar after completion of inquiry. A notification has also been issued in this regard while SSP Adeel Chandio has been given the charge of Malir.
The inquiry committee had put forward four recommendations regarding Rao Anwar to Sindh IG.
Sources report that the Naqeebullah’s crime record submitted to the committee by Rao Anwar actually belonged to someone else.
Name placed in ECL
Following the recommendation of Sindh IG, provincial Home Minister Sohail Anwar Siyal directed to put the name of Rao Anwar in Exit Control List (ECL). Moreover; the ministry also informed Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) of the matter.
TTP commander denies knowing Naqeebullah
Banned outfits Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) commander, imprisoned in Karachi Central Jail, Qari Ahsan has said that he never heard of any operative named Naqeebullah Mehsud.
Counter-terrorism Department (CTD) Additional Inspector General (IG) Sanaullah Abbasi and East Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Sultan Khawaja among four members of the probe committee recorded Qari Ahsan’s statement in Central Jail.
Rao Anwar had claimed that Naqeebullah Mehsud worked with Qari Ahsan.
Reportedly, Ahsan told the committee that neither he met the person nor ever heard his name. He said that he never saw Naqeeb in meetings of Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan.
On the other hand, Rao Anwar while raising objections over the head of inquiry committee has accused Sanaullah Abbasi of trying to take statement of own choice from his subordinates.
He said that an old FIR has surfaced against Naqeebullah according to which he was a fugitive from anti-terrorism court. “Naqeeb was a terrorist and was buried with terrorists in Ladha," he said.
Menawhile, Shah Latif police station’s official has maintained that the terrorists have been killed when they arrived at the scene.
Enraged protesters besiege Sohrab Goth
Protesters belonging to the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) besieged Sohrab Goth area of Karachi during Friday against the alleged encounter of Naqeeb Mehsud.
The enraged demonstrators surrounded the area, setting tyres on fire and throwing stones at cars to block the main highway of the metropolitan. PTI leaders and workers chanted slogans against the Malir SSP Rao Anwar, demanding of his suspension from office.
The angry protesters blocked super highway and broke windows of a bus before stopping it. Police remained absent from the scene.
Suo moto notice
Chief Justice of Pakistan Mian Saqib Nisar took suo moto notice of the alleged extrajudicial killing of Naqeebullah Mehsud during an encounter in Karachi.
The Chief Justice has directed the Sindh Inspector General of Police (IGP) to submit a report within seven days.
Naqeebullah’s killing sparked a social media outcry, as his family members rejected claims by authorities that he was a member of the Tehreek-e-Taliban, saying he was an innocent aspiring male model.
Police allegedly fatally shot Naqeebullah Mehsud, 27, during a raid on what they described as a "terrorist hideout" in eastern Karachi last week.
