By Riaz Narijo
JAMSHORO: A young man was killed and another injured in a traffic accident near Nooriabad on the M-9 Motorway, following an alleged attempt by plainclothes police officers to stop their vehicle. The incident prompted the suspension of the local station house officer and the launch of a formal inquiry.
According to the family, the incident occurred when armed men in plain clothes tried to intercept a car travelling from Karachi to Tando Adam. The sudden pursuit reportedly caused panic, causing the vehicle to lose control and crash into a trailer. One occupant, Hamidullah, was killed at the scene, while Muhammad Asif was injured.
The injured were taken to Civil Hospital Kotri for treatment. Speaking to reporters, Asif said he and his cousin were on their way to a wedding when unidentified armed men began chasing their car near Nooriabad and attempted to stop them. Fearing they were being kidnapped, they panicked.
Asif alleged that the pursuing vehicle struck their car from behind, causing it to collide with the trailer. He said it later emerged that the armed men were the Nooriabad Police Station SHO and his subordinates, not criminals. He also accused the SHO of assaulting him after the crash and fleeing when members of the public gathered, adding that video footage of the incident existed. He appealed to senior authorities for justice.
Taking notice, Zafar Siddiq Changha, the senior superintendent of police for Jamshoro, ordered immediate action. On his instructions, the SHO of Nooriabad, Sub-Inspector Suleman Lashari, was suspended and directed to report to the Jamshoro police lines. The SSP also appointed Shah Nawaz Jokhio as the inquiry officer to conduct what police described as a transparent and impartial investigation. Authorities said strict legal and departmental action would be taken against those found responsible following the inquiry’s findings.
