3 SHOs suspended, probe ordered after 4 killed in alleged drone strike in Khairpur

KARACHI: Three station house officers (SHOs) were suspended on Thursday after an alleged drone incident in Sindh’s Khairpur district resulted in four deaths.

A statement issued by the office of Sindh Home Minister Ziaul Hasan Lanjar said “four civilians were killed in a drone attack in Saeed Khan Lakho village”.

Both Lanjar and Sindh Inspector General (IG) Javed Alam Odho also took strict notice of the incident and sought a report from the Sukkur deputy inspector general (DIG).

IG Odho also issued directives for the suspension of the Kandhra, Patni and Saleh Pat SHOs in Sukkur, ordering “strict legal and departmental action” against them.

Subsequently, an order issued by the Sindh Police Department stated that Kandhra SHO Shoukat Ali Arain, Patni SHO Imran Khan Bhayo and Saleh Pat SHO Allauddin Phulpoto have been placed under suspension and “closed to ‘B’ Company PHQ/Garden Karachi”.

“During the period of suspension, they will draw their pay and allowances as admissible under the rules,” the police order said. They would be reporting to ‘B’ Company PHQ/Garden Karachi.

According to the statement issued by IG Odho’s office, a committee headed by the Ghotki senior superintendent of police (SSP) was formed to probe the reported incident.

The police chief directed that the individuals “violating the law and the SOPs in the incident” be arrested and legal action be ensured against them.

The home minister also ordered a “transparent and comprehensive investigation” into the incident. “All aspects of the incident should be reviewed in detail,” he was quoted as saying by his office.

Lanjar asserted that any kind of negligence or unlawful action would not be tolerated, ordering that strict action be taken under the law against those responsible.