• DIG rules out terrorism; blames robbers • Investigators collect casings of 11 bullets fired by criminals • CM orders immediate arrest of killers; asks authorities to speed up operation against terrorists, criminals

KARACHI: A policeman was shot dead and another wounded in an armed attack in the Manghopir area on Thursday evening.

However, a senior police office ruled out terrorism and blamed “robbers” for carrying out the attack in their attempt to evade arrest near Hub Canal within the remit of the Manghopir police station.

West Zone DIG Irfan Ali Baloch told Dawn that the police got complaints of robbers with people coming for picnic at the canal.

He said three policemen on two motorbikes were deployed in the area in view of the robbery complaints. He said as the policemen were patrolling the area, two robbers riding a motorcycle saw them and opened indiscriminate firing and rode away.

The bullets hit two policemen and one of them, identified as Khadim Ali Shah, 40, was killed while Constable Mohammed Tufail Khan sustained bullet wounds

The robbers managed to escape while resorting to firing.

The DIG said investigators collected 11 spent bullet casings fired by the criminals from the crime scene.

He ruled out the possibility of terrorism and opined that the culprits were ostensibly robbers who attacked the police on seeing them.

West SSP Tariq Illahi Mastoi, who visited the scene, told the media at the Aga Khan University Hospital (AKUH) that the policemen spotted some suspects and signalled them to stop. When they did not stop, the policemen chased the suspects upon which they resorted to indiscriminate firing, resulting in bullet injuries to the two policemen.

The SSP said the criminals fired 11 shots from 9mm and 30 bore pistols.

He said that the martyred cop sustained bullet wounds in the head while the wounded was shot in the leg.

The SSP also constituted a special team to investigate the incident from all possible angles.

The police said that the spent bullet casings had been sent for forensic analysis to determine whether the weapons were used in any previous crime.

Meanwhile, Karachi police chief Azad Khan visited the AKUH to inquire after the health of the wounded constable.

Murad orders killers’ arrest

In a statement, Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah ordered immediate arrest of the killers and asked police authorities to speed up their action against terrorists and criminal elements.

He expressed his sorrow over the death of the policeman in the attack and paid him rich tribute for sacrificing life in the line of duty.

He said that the Sindh government would extend all possible help and financial assistance to the martyred policeman’s family.

The CM made it clear that those trying to destroy peace in the city would be dealt with iron hand.

Meanwhile, Sindh Home Minister Ziaul Hasan Lanjar and Inspector General of Police Javed Alam Odho took notice of the incident and ordered immediate arrest of the culprits and provision of best medical facilities to the injured policeman.

Published in Dawn, April 17th, 2026