The PoP project was first conceptualized by Sindh Police AIG Security SSP Maqsood Ahmad Memon, who gave a detailed presentation on the project during the SPMB meeting and outlined its benefits to citizens. PHOTO: AFP
HYDERABAD:
A police constable couple, DSP Paras Bakhrani and her husband DSP Zahoor Soomro, were shot and injured in a security operation in Shikarpur district on Tuesday, which left six suspected outlaws dead and three injured. Four policemen were also injured in the gunfight.
In a rare turn of events, the husband and wife, both officers of the same rank, fought side by side and exchanged fire with the dacoits while sustaining bullet injuries themselves.
The Rangers assisted police operation, triggered by a Rs2.6 million cash robbery from a businessman in Shikarpur the other day, lasted for several hours in the Syed Manchar Shah locality on the outskirts of the city, known for a graveyard and alleged drug den.
SSP Shahzeb Chachar, who later led the siege of this neighborhood after DSP Paras Bakhrani and her husband DSP Zahoor Soomro besides two constables sustained serious gunshot wounds, had earlier put the number of suspects killed at ten. Later, the number was adjusted down to six. DIG Larkana Nasir Aftab Pathan also confirmed the death toll besides informing about the injured officers.
Civil Hospital Shikarpur received six dead bodies and three injured suspects. The injured DSPs were shifted to a hospital in Sukkur district. DSP Bakhrani got two shots and DSP Soomro one. Chachar told the media that four or five more hardened criminals are still hiding in the area and the hunt for them will continue until they can be caught dead or alive. “Today I have broken their badmashi [rowdiness]”, said the SSP.
“Both the DSPs are out of danger,” he confirmed, praising DSP Bakhrani in particular for serving in a ‘tough area’ despite being a woman. The slain suspects, whose bodies have been kept at the hospital mortuary, have been identified as Shahzado Shaikh, Sabir Shaikh, Imdad Shaikh, Shahmore Shaikh, Asif Shaikh and Owais Shaikh. Among the injured are Ayaz Shaikh, Gul Muhammad Shaikh and Sajid Shaikh. They all belong to an allegedly notorious gang of Kuraro Shaikh and Shahzado Shaikh.
The SPP demanded the recovery of a large number of weapons. He claimed that there was a link between the gang and the riverine bandits in the crimes like kidnappings and robberies. “These shameless people brought criminals from riverine areas and helped them commit crimes in Shikarpur urban areas.”
According to him, police investigation after the cash robbery from a dealer of Anaj Mandi traced the suspects to Syed Manchar Shah. He later said that a police team led by the DSPs was sent to the locality to detain the suspects, but the police were attacked with gunfire. Meanwhile, doctors from Karachi were flown to Sukkur in an air ambulance to examine the DSPs who appeared to be recovering. The FIR of the meeting could not be registered before evening.
CM Murad Ali Shah hailed the bravery of police officers and personnel who were injured during an operation against dacoits and criminal gangs in Shikarpur.
He directed the police to intensify operations against dacoit gangs and ensure full restoration of law and order in the district.
CM Murad expressed solidarity with DSP City Shikarpur Paras Bakhrani, her husband DSP Garhi Yasin Zahoor Soomro, and four injured personnel and conveyed his prayers for their speedy recovery.
The CM directed the chairman of the district council Sukkur Syed Kumail Shah to arrange an air ambulance for the injured officers, if necessary, to ensure that they get the best possible medical treatment.
“Dacoits who do not surrender will face strict action,” the CM warned, stressing that the police have been given clear instructions to uphold the state’s authority in Shikarpur.
