CTD to probe yet another ‘encounter’ by Rao Anwar

KARACHI: The Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) on Saturday started a probe into Junaid Abro’s death in an ‘encounter’ which was carried out by former Malir SSP [Senior Superintendent Police] Rao Anwar on December 26, 2017, on the suspicion of being yet another case of extrajudicial killing.

According to reports, CTD on the direction of Sindh Inspector General AD Khawaja started the investigation after Abro’s family in their statement to the inquiry team maintained that the deceased was arrested on December 25 from New Karachi and was killed the next day.

The family claims that Abro was brought to SITE super highway police station after being shot and the ambulance driver told the law enforcement authorities that Abro was alive and should be given urgent medical treatment, but the police allowed the ambulance to leave its station only after the death of Abro.

CTD’s SP Pervaiz Chandio has been appointed as the investigation officer of the case. The respondents have been summoned on Monday.

After Rao Anwar’s staged encounter on January 13 which killed 27-year-old Naqeebullah Mehsud, the police had described Mehsud and three other deceased as ‘Taliban militants’ and also registered a case against them under Sections 353 (criminal assault to deter public servant from discharge his duty), 324 (attempt to commit murder) and 34 (common intention) of the Pakistan Penal Code and Sections ¾ of the Explosives Substances Act, 1908 read with Section 7 of the Anti-Terrorism Act, 1997 at the Shah Latif Town police station.

A case against Rao Anwar and his associates was registered on January 23 under sections 302 (premeditated murder), 365 (kidnapping with intent secretly and wrongfully to confine person), 344 (wrongful confinement for ten or more day), 109 (abetment) and 34 (common intention) of the PPC read with Section 7 of the ATA on the complaint of the deceased’s father Mohammad Khan at the Sachal police station.

Rao Anwar remains on the run.