PESHAWAR: A passer-by was killed when police allegedly opened fire following a scuffle with petty smugglers in the Phase-III Chowk area of Hayatabad on Monday.

However, police said it was not clear whether the man was struck by bullets fired by cops or armed men from the other side. Hundreds of petty carriers smuggle several items between Karkhano Market and other parts of the city on a daily basis.

An initial police report said the incident took place at around 10am, when a police party tried to intercept two rickshaws loaded with fireworks at Hayatabad’s Phase-III Chowk. It said the vehicles belonged to petty smugglers locally know gandamars.

The police report said when cops arrived at the scene, about 40 smugglers scuffled with the personnel, and others tried to escape. It said some of them even opened fire on the police, injuring a passer-by, who was rushed to the Hayatabad Medical Complex.

The injured pedestrian was identified as Mudeer Khan, 58, a resident of Hayatabad. However, doctors at the HMC declared him brain dead. The deceased had received a bullet in his head.

Meanwhile, a police statement said capital city police officer Mohammad Karim Khan while taking notice of the incident had suspended the in-charge of the concerned police post and ordered registration of the FIR.

Chief Minister Mahmood Khan also directed the IGP to submit a report about the incident.

Published in Dawn, July 30th, 2019