KARACHI: An infant girl was killed and her young mother wounded when they got caught in the crossfire between police and alleged robbers in North Nazimabad on Saturday afternoon, police and hospital officials said.

However, the police were unable to arrest even a single criminal, who escaped in broad daylight.

The incident came as a grim reminder of the August 2018 shootout between bandits and police that led to the killing of 10-year-old Amal Umer, who was travelling along with her parents in their car and a bullet fired by a policeman hit her.

West-DIG Nasir Aftab said that a police party on patrol received information from area people that some robbers were looting citizens near Mateen Food Centre in Block M.

Incident brings back memories of Amal Umer’s death in 2018 DHA shootout

The policemen responded immediately and rushed to the spot. During the exchange of gunfire, an infant girl and her mother travelling in a qingqi rickshaw were shot at and wounded.

The nine-month old baby died of bullet wound while her mother suffered bullet injuries on her hand, added the DIG.

Mr Aftab described it as a tragic incident and said an inquiry had been initiated to ascertain the circumstances, which led to the incident and fix responsibility.

Central SSP Maroof Usman, who visited the spot and met the relatives, was conducting the inquiry, said the DIG.

Police surgeon Dr. Summaiya Syed said that “Hina Rashid, 24, came with firearm injuries to right and left forearms along with her nine months old daughter Anabiya Rashid who sustained a fatal chest injury in an alleged cross-fire.”

“Hina’s injury to right forearm showed no exit wound.”

The mother was stated to be out of danger.

Taimuria police SHO Abdul Rasheed said two policemen belonging to recently launched Shaheen Force in wake of surge in street crimes were patrolling in the area.

They received information from a passer-by that some four robbers riding two motorbikes were committing robbery on a street.

He said the policemen on a motorbike reached near Mateen Centre when the suspects opened straight fire on the police.

The police claimed that the infant girl was shot in firing carried out by the dacoits.

The SHO added that one of the suspects was also wounded during the exchange of fire, but his accomplices took him away.

He said the Central SSP met the relatives of the victim baby.

Ms Hina’s sister-in-law, who was travelling along with her in the same rickshaw and her maternal uncle, also gave initial statements before the police stating that the incident occurred during crossfire.

Meanwhile, Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah took notice of the killing of the infant and ordered immediate arrest of the suspects, according to the CM’s spokesperson.

“Such incidents are intolerable,” said Mr. Murad. He sought a report from Addl IG Karachi.

Published in Dawn, October 9th, 2022