KARACHI
The government’s search operation in Karachi – which is in its final stages of planning – has already hit snags as several police officers have expressed their unwillingness to take part in it, citing security concerns for themselves and their families.
The government wants to crack down on criminals responsible for about 1,334 targeted killings this year alone. “But the operation may be delayed because many police officers have refused to participate as they’re afraid that they and their families would have to face the consequences when the operation is over and particularly when the government completes its tenure,” a senior police officer told Pakistan Today on condition of anonymity.
The police officers have good reason to back out as when ‘Operation Cleanup’ in 1992 came to an end and the government was removed, many officers of Sindh police were targeted for revenge by the criminals. According to Sindh police data, 941 police officers have been killed in revenge attacks to date. Of these, 311 were those who were physically involved in Operation Cleanup.
Some prominent ones were Inspector Bahadur Ali, Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Hafeez Tanoli, DSP Imdad Kathyan, Inspector Aslam Hayat, Inspector Zeeshan Kazmi, Inspector Ijaz Shah, Inspector Tofeeq Zahid, Inspector Nasirul Hassan, Sub Inspector Rehan, SI Nisar and Assistant Sub Inspector Nadeem. These officers were rewarded with promotions, cash and medals by the government.
“Most of these officers were killed when the governments in the 90s were removed,” the officer said, adding that police were unable to investigate these cases, let alone make any arrests, due to political pressure. So far, 51 police officers and constables have been killed this year. “These police officers were the cream of the department. They were brave and intelligent and criminals feared them.”
Sources said that more than 98 percent first information of reports of the killed policemen were lodged against unidentified criminals. “Perhaps, one way to motive officers to take part in the operation is to compensate the families of the slain police officers and also bring their killers to the book,” the officer said.
