SSP Rao Anwar suspended for ‘extrajudicial’ killing of civilian

The infamous ‘encounter’ specialist, Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Malir, Rao Anwar has been suspended by the Sindh Police for his alleged involvement in the ‘extrajudicial’ killing a South Waziristan native. Naseemullah alias Naqeebullah Mehsud had been murdered by the police for his alleged involvement with the Taliban.

However, it now appears that the encounter was just staged and Naqeebullah might just be an innocent civilian who got killed for point scoring.

An inquiry panel was set up to investigate the matter and in addition to suspending him, the panel has also asked the government to put Anwar’s name on the Exit Control List (ECL) so that he does not flee abroad.

In its initial inquiry report submitted to the Inspector General Police (IGP) in Sindh, the panel said: “The committee is of unanimous opinion that in order to ensure fair and transparent inquiry into the death of Naqeebullah Mehsud, SSP Malir Rao Anwar and SP Investigation-II East Malik Sarwar … be placed under suspension.”

A three member committee was formed, headed by the Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) Additional IG Sanaullah Abbasi and comprising DIG Sultan Khawaja and DIG Azad Khan. The recommendations also included the name of other policemen who were involved in the ‘encounter’ and asked for their names to be placed on the ECL as well.

The inquiry committee has been given a deadline of five days to submit its report after completing its investigations. The heirs of the deceased will also be interviewed to find out more about him and if he really was involved with the Taliban.

Meawhile Adeel Chandio has been appointed as SSP Malir in place of Anwar. A murder case will be registered against Rao and other policemen involved if the encounter proves to be fake.

“Anwar claimed that Naqeebullah was a terrorist. However, the concerned authorities in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa have told the inquiry committee that there was no case against him. In this scenario a murder case may be registered against him,” said a senior police official familiar with the development.

Naqeebullah was picked up by policemen in civilian clothes from a tea shop at Karachi’s Sohrab Goth area on January 3. After a few days, he was killed along with three others in a police ‘encounter’.

Short URL: https://www.newspakistan.pk/?p=55941

Posted by fatimaarshad on Jan 22 2018. Filed under Latest News, Pakistan. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.