Benazir rally police officers questioned by UN team

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The UN team questions also asked about the exact security configuration at the time when Ms Bhutto appeared out of her van and why she did so. -Online

RAWALPINDI The three-member United Nations inquiry commission visited on Tuesday the office of the City Police Officer (CPO) of Rawalpindi, where they questioned seven police officers who were on duty at or near the scene of the attack on former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto on Dec 27, 2007.

The UN investigators remained there for over six hours and questioned some police officers twice. Those questioned by the UN team were the then SSP (operations) Yasin Farooq, SP (headquarters) Ashfaq Anwar, SSP Sabir Ahmed, the then Rawalpindi chief of traffic police, SP Rana Shahid, DSP Ishtiaq Shah, DSP Sultan Ahmed Chadar and the then SHO City Kashif Riaz.
DSP Ishtiaq Shah, who was stationed on the Liaquat Road during Ms Benazirs rally and injured in the attack, was interviewed for more than three hours.

He was mostly questioned about the nature of the security cover provided to the two-time prime minister, a source said.

According to the then security plan, DSP Rana Shahid was on the stage during her public address, while DSP Sultan Ahmed Chadar was deployed at the Press Club gate.

The UN team questions, it was learnt, also asked about the exact security configuration at the time when Ms Bhutto appeared out of her van and why she did so.

Crucial questions about the whereabouts of Ms Bhuttos security officer Maj (retd) Imtiaz and her security adviser Rehman Malik were also asked, the source said.

The then ASP Ashfaq Anwar, who was travelling with Ms Bhutto, was again called for questioning, the sources said.

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