KARACHI: A 60-year-old woman traveling in a car was shot dead while her 19-year-old daughter critically wounded in suspicious circumstances on National Highway near Gulshan-i-Hadeed on Thursday evening.

The police claimed that the family was caught in the crossfire between police and fleeing suspects during an ‘encounter’ and they were shot by the suspects.

However, the relatives disputed this version and blamed the police for opening straight fire on the car carrying the family by “mistaking them as dacoits”.

Steel Town police said that one citizen informed a patrolling police party about the presence of suspects in a white Corolla. The citizen also informed the police that that ‘Corolla gang’ used to loot citizens coming out from banks.

Controversy arises after bereaved family says police fired straight at the victims’ car, mistaking them for ‘dacoits’

The police after receiving information chased the suspects when they resorted to firing. As a result, members of a family traveling in a private car were injured because of the firing carried out by the criminals, the police claimed.

The injured women were taken to a nearby hospital immediately where one of them was pronounced dead on arrival.

The police said the suspects were armed with sophisticated weapons who fired a volley of bullets at the police.

The Steel Town police SHO was leading a police team in adjoining areas in search of the ‘Corolla gang’ while raids were being conducted on intelligence information.

The police have also informed other police posts on the National Highway and other areas.

An Edhi Foundation spokesperson identified the deceased woman as Sara Ibrahim, 60, and her wounded daughter as Ghanwa Ibrahim, 19.

The dead and the injured were taken to the Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre.

Police Surgeon Dr Summaiya Syed said that the mother was brought dead to the hospital. She said the condition of the injured teenager was ‘serious’.

A rickshaw in which several women with children were traveling remained unharmed during the firing.

The CCTV footage of the Corolla shared by the police showed that they stopped on National Highway and also paid toll tax at Sassui toll plaza.

Relative alleges police shot at car

Disputing the version of the police, Mohammed Usman, a maternal nephew of the victim woman told media that they originally hailed from Keti Bandar in Thatta.

The family had come to a Karachi hospital for treatment. When they were returning, policemen opened straight fire at the car carrying the family at Gulshan-i-Hadeed Mor.

The relative said that the police did not attempt to stop the car or indicate them to stop, but they opened straight fire on the car.

He disputed the police version that the family was caught in crossfire and they were shot by the suspects.

The relative also alleged that the police were trying to “destroy evidences now”.

According to witnesses, the suspects’ car was traveling in front of the car of the victims. The pictures of the family’s car being shared on social media showed that it was hit from behind.

Home minister takes notice

Meanwhile, Sindh Home Minister Zia Lanjar while taking notice of the incident sought immediate and detailed report from SSP Malir. In a statement, he said that the government would not “spare those who’re involved in the tragic incident.”

“The police have been asked to use all available resources, including latest technology, to identify those who are behind the incident,” he added.

Published in Dawn, July 5th, 2024