Shikarpur SHO killed after policeman opens fire on car in reported misidentification

SHIKARPUR: A station house officer was shot dead in Sindh's Shikarpur district after a policeman opened fire on his vehicle near the Golo Daro area in what police described as a reported case of mistaken identity.

Senior Superintendent of Police Muhammad Kaleem identified the deceased officer as SHO Ali Hassan of Lakhi Ghulam Shah police station.

According to SSP Kaleem, Ali Hassan was travelling in his newly purchased private car when the vehicle came under fire at around 5am.

The SSP said police personnel from Golo Daro opened fire after they considered the car suspicious.

He confirmed that the policeman involved in the shooting had been taken into custody and placed under quarter guard while an investigation proceeds.

Separately, Sindh Inspector General Javed Alam Odho took notice of the incident and sought a report from Larkana Deputy Inspector General Nasir Aftab.

Police response and investigation

The killing has prompted action from the provincial police leadership, with the Sindh police chief asking for details of the incident from the relevant regional command.

Police said the shooting took place near Golo Daro and that the officer who opened fire is now in custody. SSP Kaleem's account indicated that the firing occurred when the victim's private vehicle was treated as suspicious.

No further official details about the circumstances leading up to the shooting were provided in the report, beyond the police account that it appeared to be a case of misidentification.

Background of anti-dacoit operation

The incident comes about four months after Sindh Home Minister Zia-ul-Hassan Lanjar announced the start of a large-scale operation against dacoits in the Katcha, or riverine, area.

Speaking to the media alongside IG Odho on January 7, Lanjar had said:

We will use whatever resources [needed against dacoits]

He had also said:

Dacoits will be destroyed

Lanjar added at the time that notorious dacoits would be specifically targeted in what he described as ruthless action and that no one would be spared.

The latest incident in Shikarpur has emerged against that broader law and order backdrop in upper Sindh, where policing and anti-dacoit operations in riverine areas have remained a major focus of the provincial government.