LAW-ENFORCERS are routinely criticised for failing to crack down on crime, especially in a violent city like Karachi. But at times incidents take place that truly expose the state of unpreparedness of those who are supposed to serve and protect the people.

One such incident transpired in Karachi’s DHA area on Tuesday, when a mentally unstable man blocked traffic on a main thoroughfare, started firing into the air and took a girl hostage before he ran out of ammunition and was subdued.

It is a miracle no lives were lost as the suspect was armed with a sub-machine gun and a pistol. It is equally propitious that the shooter ran out of bullets, or else the episode could have continued for much longer, with more lethal consequences.

Also read: DHA standoff gunman is ‘trained pilot’

What is also shocking is that while policemen tried to convince him to surrender, the man was overpowered by a TV reporter who was covering the event. It is truly frightening to consider the level of mayhem that could have ensued had the gunman been an actual terrorist. The incident bears a striking similarity to the episode in Islamabad in 2013, in which a lone gunman paralysed the capital for several hours.

The incident highlights two key issues: the proliferation and availability of weapons in Karachi, and the law-enforcers’ lack of preparedness. That a mentally unstable individual could have access to a sub-machine gun is shocking and reflects the deadly level of weaponisation in society.

Secondly, it is bizarre that in a city with several specialised police units, as well as the paramilitary Rangers, the LEAs were not able to neutralise the suspect until he ran out of ammunition. Of course, there exist non-lethal methods of disarming and disabling suspects in such sensitive situations; the question is, are our LEAs trained in these methods? This incident would suggest otherwise.

The stand-off should serve as a moment of reflection for those who rule Sindh, particularly those managing Karachi’s affairs.

Read more: Lone gunman in DHA road standoff overpowered

Published in Dawn, July 2nd, 2015

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