KARACHI: The Counter-Terrorism Department tasked with investigating the killing of a toddler during an alleged police encounter near Safoora Chowk concluded that 19-month-old Ahsan was shot dead “accidentally” by a policeman, it emerged on Friday.

The CTD did not get any evidence regarding an exchange of gunfire between suspected criminals and a four-member police team, but found that there was a “hot pursuit” during which the gun of a policeman went off “accidently”.

A senior police officer familiar with the findings of the probe told Dawn on the condition of anonymity that after a thorough examination of evidence, careful reading of the forensic report about a spent bullet casing found at the crime scene and perusal of eyewitnesses accounts, the investigation team concluded that the bullet “accidentally” fired by Constable Amjad killed the toddler and injured his father, Raja Kashif Shaikh, on April 16.

The CTD says no evidence to back up claim that fleeing criminals fired at police

The CTD probe team, led by CTD DIG Abdullah Shaikh, found that only one bullet was fired by the policeman and there was no evidence that the suspects opened fire on the policemen.

CCTV footage obtained from the crime scene clearly showed that a man approached policemen deputed near Mosamiat roundabout on main University Road. Two policemen riding a motorbike chased the fleeing suspects and in an apparent ‘hot pursuit’ a shot was fired from the official pistol of policeman Amjad. The bullet pierced through the toddler and then hit his father in the leg.

The officer said that clearly there was no evidence that another bullet was fired from the suspects or the policemen.

“Clearly, it was unintentional and accidental fire that claimed the baby’s life,” said another official.

He pointed out that the pistol went off during the motorcycle chase due to potholes on the road. The CCTV footage showed that the motorbike slowed down after the gunfire and the policemen did not chase the fleeing suspects further.

The officer claimed that two other arrested policemen, also riding a motorbike, were not part of the ‘hot pursuit’ and they arrived after a considerable delay.

Official sources said that the investigation team may exonerate other three arrested policemen from the manslaughter (qatl-i-khata) charge.

They said constable Amjad would be indicted for the murder.

Initially, the Sachal police had claimed that the toddler was gunned down during an exchange of fire between the police and robbers. The police at that time had said that they had come under fire by the suspects, which prompted the policemen to retaliate.

The toddler’s killing also brought to light differences between the provincial government and police.

Inspector General of Police Syed Kaleem Imam and Karachi police chief Dr Amir Ahmed Shaikh had apologised over the killing as well as other similar tragic incidents and promised a fair and impartial probe. Subsequently, the investigation of the case was transferred from the Malir police to the CTD.

Published in Dawn, April 27th, 2019