KARACHI: A traffic police official was martyred off the Superhighway on Wednesday within the SITE Superhighway Industrial Area police limits, officials said.

They added that traffic officials were performing their duty at the intersection between Ahsanabad and Surjani Town when gunmen riding a motorcycle opened indiscriminate fire on them.

As a result, sub-inspector Mohammad Rafiq, 55, sustained multiple bullet wounds and died on the spot while assistant sub-inspector Abdul Hakeem escaped by hiding in the bushes there, said Malir SSP Sheeraz Nazeer.

Investigators collected 18 spent bullet casings fired from 9mm pistols from the crime scene.

The assailants, wearing masks, fled towards Surjani Town.

“Police are investigating the murder of the official from different angles, including terrorism,” said the SSP.

He said the spent bullet casings had been sent to the police’s forensic laboratory to ascertain if the same weapon had been used in past murders in the city.

Another officer of the SITE Superhighway Industrial Police quoting the surviving officer, Abdul Hakeem, said that they were performing their duty when suddenly armed pillion riders opened fire on them at around 11.57am and fled.

The victim officer was posted at the Gulzar-i-Hijri traffic section.

Meanwhile, Sindh IGP Dr Syed Kaleem Imam took notice of the martyrdom of the police officer and sought a detailed inquiry report from the DIGs of East zone and traffic police.

He also directed the Malir SSP to preserve the crime scene and initiate an effective probe by collecting evidence and recording statements of the witnesses to ensure arrest of the culprits soon.

Published in Dawn, October 4th, 2018