ISLAMABAD: A police driver of a patrolling vehicle was injured after the weapon of his colleague went off during a scuffle between two officials.

Constable Hammad Kiani was later shifted to hospital where his condition was stated to be stable.

According to the police, a five-member team of Kohsar police, comprising an in-charge, three officials and a driver, was patrolling E-7 sector when an argument broke out between two officials over gunman duty.

As per routine, three officials perform the gunman duty for three hours on rotation basis.

The argument soon turned into a scuffle, and the constable who was performing the duty of gunman tried to pull out his pistol, the police said, adding that the other official tried to snatch it but in the process, the pistol went off and a bullet hit the shoulder of driver Hammad.

The injured was taken to the hospital and the incident was brought to the notice of senior police officers.

Both constables involved in the scuffle were taken into custody and shifted to Kohsar police station for legal action.

According to preliminary investigation, the pistol was a personal weapon of the constable, and keeping personal arms was strictly prohibited.

The police spokesman said the inspector general of police suspended the official who was performing the gunman duty and asked SSP operations to conduct an inquiry and submit a report.

The spokesman held the constable on gunman duty responsible for the incident.

Medical assistance was being provided to driver Hammad Kiani at Polyclinic and his condition was out of danger, the spokesman added.

Published in Dawn, December 28th, 2021