Body of girl found in Manora bushes; police claim CCTV footage helped identify the suspect
Police on Thursday killed a man suspected of kidnapping and murdering a six-year-old girl in an alleged encounter in Karachi’s Jackson area.
The girl, identified as a resident of Baba Bhit Island, had gone missing a day ago. Her body was found in the bushes near Kachhi Line in Manora today
According to police, investigators obtained CCTV footage from several locations during the investigation of the kidnapping and murder. The footage reportedly showed the suspect wearing a red cap, a black and white shirt and blue jeans while carrying a sack over his shoulder at the jetty.
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Police said the footage also showed him boarding a launch with the bag, which allegedly contained the girl’s body.
Jackson Station House Officer (SHO) Inayatullah Marwat said the suspect was identified through CCTV footage after which the police launched a search operation.
He said police later received information from intelligence sources that a man matching the suspect’s description was present near Mubarak Masjid Street along the seafront. A police party reached the scene where the suspect allegedly opened fire after seeing the officers.
Police returned fire, seriously wounding the suspect, who later died. A weapon was recovered from his possession, according to the SHO.
He added that a team was called from the Crime Scene Unit to collect evidence before the body was taken to Civil Hospital Karachi for legal formalities.
SHO Marwat said a separate case had been registered over the alleged encounter while legal and forensic procedures were underway.
The investigation into the girl’s kidnapping and murder continued in the light of CCTV footage, medico-legal, forensic, technical and other available evidence, he added.
Also read: Child’s brutal rape, murder shakes the city
Sindh Home Minister Ziaul Hassan Lanjar praised the Keamari police for making progress in the investigation and for killing the fleeing suspect in the alleged police encounter.
According to a spokesperson, the Home Minister commended Keamari Senior Inspector of Police Singhar Ali Malik and his team for their efforts.
Lanjar said crimes against innocent children were highly condemnable and directed the authorities to use all available resources to bring those responsible to justice in accordance with the law.
He also directed the investigators to complete the investigation on merit by examining all available evidence including CCTV footage, medico-legal findings, forensic evidence, technical data and other material.
The interior minister said the deceased suspect’s possible involvement and role in the kidnapping and murder case should be determined based on concrete evidence.
