Many fallen cops targeted while going to mosques, offices

Attackers observe routine of officials who move without guards, weapons

PESHAWAR: Many policemen in the provincial capital have come under attack because of their inadequate security and a set routine despite serious threats to their lives, a source told The News.

When one goes through the incidents of target killings of policemen in Peshawar and other cities of the province, it shows that most of them were attacked while going to mosque for prayers as per routine or leaving for office in the morning.

A source said that all the senior and junior police officials have already been asked to take adequate security measures and restrict their movement, especially avoid going in public without guards.

They were directed on a number of occasions to take care of their security as there were reports that target killers are likely to attack them.

“Many officers do not take appropriate security measures such as taking an escort or carrying pistols to retaliate if attacked. They were directed on a number of occasions to remain vigilant while going to mosque, office or any public place in the wake of threats to their lives,” an official told The News.

The official added that officers must take care of their security while going to any place in routine, especially mosque and office.

Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) of the Counter-Terrorism Department Riazul Islam was targeted by armed attackers when he was leaving after offering mahgrib prayers in a mosque near his house in Madina Colony on Saturday.

His son retaliated and reportedly shot and injured one of the attackers. However, none of those involved in the attack could be arrested.

According to investigators, the attackers knew about the routine of the officer and probably one of them had offered the maghrib prayers with Riazul Islam and targeted him at point-blank range.

A senior army officer, Col Tariq Ghafoor, was also targeted in a similar fashion near Ring Road when he was entering a mosque to offer Friday prayers in March. He didn’t have any security at the time and was killed on the spot.

Nawab Khan Safi, a young section officer who had served as assistant political agent in South Waziristan, was targeted while coming out of mosque in Yakatoot area in June.

A superintendent of police of the CTD, Khairul Haseeb, was targeted outside a mosque in Swabi last year. Another DSP of the CTD who was attacked outside a mosque was Jahanzada, who miraculously survived.

Those who have come under attack while going to or coming from mosque included a number of junior policemen and other government officials.

“Majority of those targeted in the last few years were leaving for office from homes as their routes were known to the target killers,” said an official.

He added that all the senior and junior cops had been ordered to take security measures and avoid going to any place as per their set routine.

The officers, however, have complained that there should be proper arrangements for the accommodation of officers in their respective areas where they can easily move without any security.

All the senior officials of the capital city police and Counter-Terrorism Department are living in their own or rented houses because the designated residences have been occupied by their predecessors for years.

“All the officers, including CCPO, SSPs, SPs and SHOs have their official residences close to their offices but these have been occupied for years. There are no safe residences for the officers of CTD who have to live in some of the troubled areas despite serious threats,” said an official.