ISLAMABAD: A joint investigation team (JIT) is yet to be constituted to probe the terrorist attack on a police team that left two officials dead on Tuesday night.

However, Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG) Operation Waqaruddin Syed told Dawn that a request would be sent to the commissioner office to constitute the JIT.

Replying a question, he said the senior superintended of police Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) would supervise the JIT which would be assisted by the two teams already constituted by the IGP.

A senior officer of the police on condition of anonymity said under the Anti-Terrorism Act (ATA), a JIT should be constituted from the chief commissioner and headed by an officer of the police not below the rank of a superintendent and include representatives from intelligence agencies.

Separate teams may also be constituted to assist the JIT in the investigations.

Two officials were martyred in line of duty by armed men on May 26

Shortly after the incident, Inspector General of Police (IGP) Islamabad Aamir Zulfiqar Khan constituted two teams, each headed by the SP investigation and the SP Saddar Zone. DIG Syed will be supervising both the teams.

The case was registered with the CTD which works directly under the supervision of the IGP. An officer of the CTD was appointed as the investigating officer.

Initially, the police were confused over the nature of the crime - either it was terrorism or an act of criminals. As a result, a complaint was drafted to get registered a case at the Tarnol police station under the charges of terrorism, murder along with other offence and an ASI was made the complainant.

On Wednesday, however, senior police officers got convinced that it was terrorism and the case was then registered at the CTD police station and ASI Abdul Ghafar became the complainant

The case was registered under 7ATA along with section 302, 353 and 186 of Pakistan Penal Code.

The FIR stated that ASI Ghafar along with four police officials armed with weapons, including SMGs, were present near Chungi No 26 and witnessed the incident. The attackers riding two motorcycles appeared from Rawalpindi.

ASI Mohammad Moshin Zafar, who was on duty at the spot, singled them to stop but the pillion riders of both the motorcycle opened fire on them. It said the attackers escaped while seeing the ASI Ghafar’s mobile.

The officials in the mobile chased the attackers and also fired at them but due to traffic rush they escaped, it added.

Published in Dawn, May 29th, 2020