Daily Times

KARACHI: The mystery surrounding the killing of a 22-year-old man, Abrar, in a suspicious police encounter near Sindhi Muslim Society could not be solved as the bereaved family alleged that police were behind this murder.

Abrar, a resident of Jackson area in Karachi, was visiting the area in a bid to sell a mobile phone following he saw an advertisement on internet, where he became a victim of a dubious police encounter.

The post-mortem report conducted at the Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre (JPMC) revealed Abrar received three bullets.

“Abrar went to sell a mobile phone, but police declared him a dacoit in front of hospital administration where he was later rushed in critical condition,” said Naqash, a friend of the 22-year-old while recording his statement in front of the police. The eye-witnesses were of the view that Abrar and Dilnawaz, the alleged buyer of the cell phone, were engaged in their deal but later Dilnawaz tried to flee in his car without paying Abrar. Abrar resisted during which a police van rushed there and opened fire at them.

Sindh IG AD Khawaja has ordered a comprehensive investigation into the incident. The police have also taken Dilnawaz into their custody. The friends and relatives of Abrar have accused the police of protecting real culprits behind his brutal killing. They also claimed that they were pressurised to refuse post-mortem. According to Sindh police spokesperson, Inspector General (IG) Sindh Police, AD Khawaja, has taken notice of the firing by the police personnel and subsequent death of a youth. He directed deputy inspector general (DIG) West to take tangible, indiscriminate and transparent investigation measures and submit a report in this regard.

The police sources said that Abrar had reached an agreement to sell his cell phone to a person identified as Dil Nawaz after placing an advertisement on website. Both mutually decided upon a location in Saddar to complete the transaction.

However, Dil Nawaz on day of deal took the cell phone in his possession and attempted to speed away in his car, which led to a chase with Abrar and eventually Abrar managed to get inside Nawaz’s car. When a police mobile stationed at Sindhi Muslim Society noticed the scuffle, they opened fire on the car, killing Abrar and injuring Nawaz, a police spokesperson said. The friend remained unhurt.

Meanwhile, four police teams of Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) are working under SSP Umer Khattab, SP Ali Raza, SP Mazhar Maswani and SP Awan in the metropolis. Abrar killing case was not the only incident in city and many questions arouse on the members of these teams that they were allegedly involved in anti-social acts. “They are involved in harassing the influential and wealthy citizens for taking bribe.” In this connection, Sindh Police IG has ordered an inquiry into such allegations on them and illegal use of Counter Terrorism Department Mobile and the officials.