Peshawar: Bullets Fired By Police Claim Life of Passer-by In Gunfight With Smugglers

Peshawar: Bullets Fired By Police Claim Life of Passer-by In Gunfight With Smugglers
PESHAWAR: A citizen died from police bullets in a gunfight between smugglers and police in the Hayatabad area of Peshawar on Tuesday.

Peshawar CCPO Karim Khan suspended the police official – against whom an FIR has been filed – and said the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa police stood by the victim’s family.

According to locals, the smugglers, including men and women, attacked the two police officials when their vehicles were stopped. During the exchange of fire, bullets fired by police hit a passer-by. Later, the police arrested the smugglers.

On the other hand, people protested against the killing and said the police knew from where the vehicles were loaded with goods; therefore, they should seal the market instead of resorting to firing on main roads.

It is worth noting that the Karkhano Market of Peshawar is famous for sale of contrabands arriving from Afghanistan.

Despite the repeated incidents of killings of civilians by security personnel in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, no concrete steps have been taken yet to avoid the loss of innocent lives while tackling criminal elements.

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Mehmood Khan condemned the incident and directed IGP Naeem Khan to investigate the matter without any delay.

Similarly, the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Bar Council and civil society have demanded a probe into the role of police.