Two Military Police (MP) officials were killed on Tuesday after their vehicle was attacked by unidentified gunmen near Tibet Centre on MA Jinnah Road.
Senior medico-legal officer (MLO) Dr Nisar Shah of Civil Hospital said one of the military personnel, Rashid, was declared dead on arrival at the hospital. The second, Arshad, succumbed to his injuries while receiving treatment at the hospital.
Arshad was a Havaldar while Rashid was a Lance Naik with the Pakistan Army’s Military Police.
AIG Mushtaq Meher told Pakistan Today that two Military Police personnel were fired at by masked gunmen during routine patrol. A 9mm pistol was used in the attack, he said.
DIG South Dr Jamil told journalists that the two masked attackers opened indiscriminate fire on the military jeep and fled the scene. He confirmed that only two military personnel were present in the vehicle at the time of attack.
The police official said that four to five bullet casings had also been collected from the scene. One suspicious person has been taken into custody, he added.
Sindh Chief Minister Qaim Ali Shah has taken notice of the attack and ordered an immediate investigation. Sindh Police Inspector General (IG) Ghulam Hyder Jamali also visited the site of the attack.
The Pakistan Army Military Police (MP) is the law enforcement branch of the army and is responsible for maintaining law and order with in the army. All branches of the armed forces have their own branch of police.
MA Jinnah road is a major artery of the metropolis and is usually congested during the day.
Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has condemned the firing incident on the Military Police van on M.A Jinnah Road, Karachi. “We will not be deterred by such cowardly terrorist attacks on our brave Jawans. Peace and stability is the future of Karachi, which is because of the national resolve against terrorists and great sacrifices made by our Jawans,” the prime minister said.
Sympathising deeply with the families of those martyred, the prime minister prayed for eternal peace for the departed souls. The prime minister prayed to Almighty Allah to grant courage to the bereaved families and help them bear the irreparable loss.
Army Chief General Raheel Sharif paid rich tributes to valour and sacrifice of the MP personnel who were killed in the attack, Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) spokesman Lt Gen Asim Bajwa tweeted.
Such terrorist acts aim to undermine progress of Operation Zarb-i-Azb but such attempts cannot shake the nation’s resolve to root out terrorism from Pakistan once and for all, Gen Raheel was quoted as saying.
The army chief instructed intelligence and security agencies to go to any length to apprehend the perpetrators of the attack.
It is pertinent to mention here that the incident has come four days before local body (LB) polls in Sindh.
The attack has come around 10 days after three Rangers personnel were killed while four sustained injuries in an assailment in Ittehad Town area. Officials had suggested the attackers intended to target the mosque during Friday prayers.
