KARACHI, Sept 7: A policeman, believed to have been instrumental in the arrest of a suspected assassin a few days ago, was shot dead in the Malir area on Wednesday, officials said.

The 37-year-old head constable, Javed Iqbal, was attacked by an armed rider near Evergreen Chowk in Malir City when he was out on an official task.

“He was posted at the Malir City police station,” said a colleague of the victim.

“He left the police station on his motorbike for an official task in the second half of the day and was targeted near Evergreen Chowk in the Bakra Peeri area when he was returning to his workplace. According to witnesses, the assailants on a motorbike used a 9mm pistol in the attack.”

The victim, a resident of Geedar Colony in Landhi, was involved in the investigation of some very ‘important cases’.

A senior official said the head constable had played an active role in the arrest of a key suspect of recent killings.

“It’s not very difficult to assess in such a situation as to who could be behind that killing. His efforts led to the arrest of a suspected assassin and his murder seemed to be linked to his official work,” said Malir SSP Rao Anwaar.