JIT formed to probe killing by Rangers: minister

KARACHI: A Joint Interrogation Team (JIT) has been formed on the demand of the family of the deceased allegedly killed in encounter with the personnel of Rangers here in the Boat Basin Police limits on Wednesday night.

"All the findings of the JIT will be made public and investigation will be done in a transparent manner," said Interior Minister Rehman Malik while talking to media after holding a meeting at Chief Minister House here on Thursday.

The meeting was attended by Sindh CM Syed Qaim Ali Shah, DG Rangers Maj. General Mohammed Ejaz Ch., IGP Sindh Fayyaz Leghari and representatives of intelligence agencies.

An alleged 25-year-old accused identified as Sarfaraz Shah was killed after an encounter with the Rangers personnel deployed outside Benazir Shaheed park in Boat Basin area of Clifton on Wednesday night.

Malik said that initially the government offered a judicial enquiry which was rejected by the family of the deceased and later a JIT was formed.

"There is no doubt about the video clips and it has been totally unjustified on the part of the personnel of the Rangers, but I assure you that FIR has been registered and law will take its own course," the Interior Minister stressed.

On the other hand, he said that the accused was actually caught by the public and handed over to the area vigilance person and later handed over to the Rangers according to information available.

"Accused tried to loot the visitors at the park but was caught red handed," he pointed out.

The Interior Minister said that two-pronged investigation has been launched on the part of the law enforcers and on behalf of the family of the deceased in transparent manner without any discrimination.

He further mentioned that during the last 5-months at least 24 policemen were killed by outlaws while 3 personnel of Rangers also lost their lives.

"8 gangs are operating actively in the area of the incident," he added.

He urged the masses to cooperate with the personnel of police and other law enforcing agencies to curb lawlessness in the metropolis.

Earlier, the Interior Minister also visited the Rangers Headquarters and held detailed meeting with the DG Rangers Maj.

General Mohammed Ejaz. The IGP Sindh Fayyaz Leghari was also present.

He directed the DG Rangers and IGP to hold an impartial enquiry into the incident so that the culprits may be punished and the report be made public.

Copyright APP (Associated Press of Pakistan), 2011