ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Imran Khan on Sunday announced that the children, whose parents were killed in Counter Terrorism Department (CTD)’s alleged operation in Sahiwal, will be looked after by the state.
Expressing his deep sorrow over the incident, PM Khan in his latest tweet said, “Still shocked at seeing the traumatized children who saw their parents shot before their eyes. Any parent would be shocked as they would think of their own children in such a traumatic situation. These children will now be fully looked after by the state as its responsibility.”
He added, “While the CTD has done a great job in fight against terrorism, everyone must be accountable before the law. As soon as JIT report comes, swift action will be taken. The govt’s priority is protection of all its citizens.”
Earlier on Saturday, four persons were shot dead including two women during an alleged action by CTD of Punjab Police that went controversial when a wounded child gave statement before the media, saying they were moving to Burewala for attending a wedding ceremony.
However, CTD in its report submitted to Inspector General (IG) Punjab Police insisted that the law enforcers’ team attempted to stop ‘terrorists travelling through motorcycle and car’ at around 12:00 noon but they opened fire on the personnel avoiding the call to surrender before security officials.
However, the development reports spread like wildfire that draw heavy criticism by nationals across the country against the police action.
Later in the day, Prime Minister Imran Khan took notice of Sahiwal incident where four persons including two women were killed in alleged encounter of law enforcers.
PM Khan ordered Punjab authorities to submit report over the incident.
Relatives’ protest:
Relatives of the persons, who were shot dead in Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) operation in Sahiwal a day ago, lodged sit-in at GT Road Lahore on Sunday as they were demanding to file First Investigation Report (FIR) against the shooting.
Relatives of the slain persons along with dead bodies continued their protest since seven hours at GT Road. The protestors have blocked both tracks of Ferozpur Road for traffic while local administration has also closed Metro Bus Service to void any untoward situation.
Protestors raised slogans against Prime Minister Imran Khan and Punjab Police during the protest while they were demanding other top officials to provide justice.
Initial postmortem report:
The four persons including two women, who were killed during an alleged action by Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) a day ago, received multiple bullet shots on head, neck and stomach, initial postmortem report showed on Sunday.
According to the report, the 13-year-old Areeba received 6 bullets, 10 bullets were shot on driver Zeeshan, mother Nabeela Bibi received 4 bullets while Khalil received 13 bullets on his body.
On the other hand, Muneeba, Umair and Hadiya, the children who were wounded in Sahiwal shooting by Counter Terrorism Department (CTD), were shifted to Lahore on Sunday morning.
The wounded minors were brought to Lahore’s General Hospital in a government ambulance for medical treatment.
Muneeba and Umair were injured of gun shots and glasses of car’s windows, however, X-Ray was conducted that indicated the gun shots did not leave any fracture, hospital sources said.
Security personnel arrested:
On the orders of the Punjab Chief Minister Sardar Usman Buzdar the personnel of the Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) involved in the alleged shootout in Sahiwal where four persons — including a husband, wife and their teenage daughter — were killed while their minor son received bullet wounds were arrested.
The chief minister has reportedly issued the directives that the CTD officials should be punished if found responsible for the cold-blooded killings.
Buzdar, who left for Sahiwal himself, also directed Punjab Law Minister Raja Basharat to remain in contact with Sahiwal’s deputy commissioner and ensure the provision of best-possible treatment to the injured children at the DHQ hospital.
CTD’s report:
Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) claimed again to target ‘terrorists’ during alleged encounter at GT Road where four persons including two women killed while one of the child out of three was reportedly left wounded.
CTD in its report submitted to Inspector General (IG) Punjab Police stated that the law enforcers’ team attempted to stop ‘terrorists travelling through motorcycle and car’ at around 12:00 noon but they opened fire on the personnel avoiding the call to surrender before security officials.
According to report, the alleged terrorists were killed in retaliation made by the law enforcers while three of their accomplices managed to fled from the location.
CTD said that the recent operation was among series of actions conducted in Faisalabad since January 16 while the law enforcement agency was tracing two most wanted terrorists, Shahid Jabbar and Abdur Rehman, who were also included in Red Book.
Reliable sources gave a tip off that the terrorists were moving towards Sahiwal with arms and explosive material while the terrorists usually travel along their families to avoid police checking, said the report.
Law enforcers have widened investigation against the three terrorists fled from the site while the slain ‘terrorist’ was identified as Zeeshan and Adeel Hafeez was killed in Faisalabad operation.
The persons were running Daish network in Multan and also involved in high-profile terror activities.
The same network was involved in killing three official of a sensitive institution and police officer belonging to Faisalabad. Moreover, same terrorists were involved in kidnapping of former prime minister Yousaf Raza Gillani’s son Ali Haider Gillani and US worker Warren Weinstein, the report said.
It is noteworthy to mention here that statement of a child before media who was injured in the operation was contrary to the CTD version.
The child said that they were moving towards Burewala along with whole family when police opened fired on the vehicle that killed his father, mother, aunt and driver.
He detailed that the police personnel have also taken the dead bodies along with them.
