KARACHI: Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah reiterated resolve to eliminate scourge of terrorism from province. In statement, Murad Ali Shah said that attack on Karachi Police Office is being investigated from all angles. Chief Minister said that one terrorist belonged to Lakki Marwat while other one was from Waziristan. He said that meeting under chairmanship of Speaker will decide about security measures.

Murad Ali Shah giving policy statement on Karachi Police Office attack disclosed some details of investigations made so far but also unveiled post-attack security plan being enforced in city.

He said that three terrorists wearing suicide jackets, drove through Police quarters in 95-model car and scaled compound wall and entered KPO at around 7.10 pm on February 17, 2023.

Terrorists with their infiltration into four-storey KPO building opened indiscriminate fire with objective to hostage as many police staff as possible, he said.

He appreciated Rangers Brigadier who along with squad of six to seven Rangers was returning from somewhere rushed to KPO and participated in operation.

Meanwhile, DIG South and other police officers of CTD and Special Branch even though they were not posted in area reached spot and properly led operation against terrorists.

“I am proud to say that policemen and Rangers who participated in operation demonstrated national unity,” CM said. KPO operation was manifestation of national unity and against terrorists.

CM disclosed that Pak Army snipers were deployed on rooftop of nearby buildings and plan was discussed to use Pak Navy night-sighting helicopters in operation but thanks to God that police and Rangers killed two terrorists while third one blasted himself at third floor.

Murad said that Ranger Sub Inspector Taimur Shahzad of Shujababd, Multan, police constable Latif of Shikarpur, Head Constable Ghulam Abbas of Larkana, Constable Saeed of Orangi Town and Sanitary worker Ajmal of Faisalabad lost their lives while fighting against terrorists. He added that 18 policemen and Ranger and one civilian sustained injuries and were shifted to hospital.   CM disclosed decisions his government has taken to face such threats including impounding of vehicles plying on open letter. “Our Excise Department with support of law enforcement agencies would start road checking to not allow others.

Murad Shah said that an SOP would be issued under which motorists would be guided to be standstill when an untoward incident was taking place on or close to road they were using. He disclosed that when KPO was under attack Shahrah-e-Faisal was closed to traffic but even then, motorists were trying to use it.

Similar attitude was demonstrated by media who started reporting from spot where all lights, including streetlights were switched off and firing between police and terrorists were in progress and started making speculations, CM complained. Thank ambulance service organisation and media Murad Ali Shah urged them to extend helping hand responsibly. CM said that welfare organisations and media would be given SOP for covering such events.

He said that no security guard in plain clothes would be allowed to carry weapons in vehicles. He added that in such cases not only vehicles would be impounded but guards would be arrested.

CM said that he has been conducting security audit of strategic institutions and would do it once again so that necessary security arrangements could be made for them.

Published in The Daily National Courier, February, 21 2023

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