RAWALPINDI: Inspector General of Police (IGP) Sardar Ali Khan has ordered disciplinary proceedings against two deputy superintendents of police of Rawalpindi region and appointed the SP investigation Gujranwala and the DSP legal Rawalpindi to probe the killing of a student in an alleged encounter in Attock in July this year.

Regional Police Officer (RPO) Rawalpindi Imran Ahmar has also been directed to initiate necessary action against officials below the rank of DSP and furnish a report to the IGP office.

The IGP has also sought the current status of the twoFIRs of the incident and copies of the investigation reports conducted by the local police and the district and regional investigations units An initial inquiry showed that the police encounter had taken place in the district of Attock on July 2, 2021. The in-charge of a picket at Burhan ASI Abrar Ahmed along with constables Mohammad Tufail and Zafar Iqbal were on duty at the picket.

Student was shot dead by police after he along with another person did not stop at a picket in Burhan in July

One of the constables, Zafar Iqbal, intercepted a black Fielder but the driver of the car tried to run over him instead of stopping and sped away breaking the barrier.

The officials then sought reinforcement on which ASI Mohammad Sajjad Haider, incharge police post Burhan, along with a constable reached the spot and conveyed a message to the police for a cordon.

During the cordon, when the fielder was stopped on the motorway two occupants of the car ran away towards the nearby fields leaving behind the vehicle.The police opened fire on the fleeing suspects killing one of them later identified as Sajid Mohammad, a student and resident of Chakdara, and injuring Asif Mehmood.

Subsequently, on the complaint of SHO Mazhar Shah, the police registered an FIR of the incident.

A protest demonstration was later held by the family of the deceased which led to the registration of a murder case against the police team for reportedly staging the encounter and killing the youth.

Later, the statements of DSP Hassanabdal Fiazul Haq, DSP Hazro Zaigham Abbasand SI Haris Umar of the homicide investigation unitwere recorded. The inquiry found loopholes in the case. It also transpired that the local police had placed a pistol in the hand of the deceased to claim that he had engaged the police.

The initial inquiry report recommended to the RPO to order shifting of the FIRs to any other district for a proper investigation on merit. It also recommended suspension of SHO Burhan Mazhar Shah,SHOHassanabdal NaasAhmedand ASI Sajjad Haider.

It was also recommended that DSPs Fiazul Haq and Zaigham Abbas should not be posted again in the Rawalpindi region for at least five years.

In the latest move, the IGP has directed a joint department inquiry into the case and disciplinary action against the DSPs for alleged misconduct.

Published in Dawn, October 5th, 2021