Rizvia SHO suspended after killing of citizen in crossfire

Over a tragic incident that occurred in the Rizvia police remit on Friday in which a citizen got killed, the Karachi police chief has suspended the station house officer of the area, while an FIR has been lodged at the police station.

Usman Khalil was killed during crossfire between police and suspected drug peddlers in Nazimabad. After the incident, residents protested against the police team that carried the shootout.

Karachi police chief Imran Yaqoob took notice of the incident and suspended the SHO and two constables for showing negligence. He has initiated an inquiry in this regard.

Moreover, an FIR was also lodged at the police station on Saturday in which two constables and drug peddlers were nominated. An inquiry team has been formed under the supervision of the SP of Liaquatabad Division, who will submit a report within three days after ascertaining the facts.

The tragic incident

Acting on information Head Constable Waheed, and police constables Ateequllah, Rashid, Rameez and Faizan of the Rizvia Society Police Station conducted raid at 6:30pm on Friday in the Qabli Bazaar, Gali No.6, and tried to arrest notorious drug peddler Fazal alias Bachani, but he managed to escape when his accomplices opened fire on the police party.

Police officials retaliated in their self-defence, and during the exchange of fire, one civilian, Usman, son of Khaleel, suffered a bullet injury and expired. Police constables Rameez and Faizan were injured when they were beaten up by a mob.

Protesters came out in protest over the killing of Usman and blocked a road. A few of them were alleged to be supporters of narcotics peddler Fazal alias Bachani, while a few of them were responsible citizens and protesting over the killing of Usman.

Since the mob mostly belonged to the Pushto-speaking community, a dialogue team comprising DSP Jameel Bangash, Inspector Haji Sanaullah and Inspector Liaquat Hayat has been formulated to carry out a dialogue with the family of the victim and to try to defuse the situation.