Model Town clashes: ‘SP Salman issued order for firing on PAT protesters’

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LAHORE: Elite Force in-charge, in his statement to the Joint Investigation Team (JIT) holding an inquiry into the Model Town incident, alleged that SP Salman Ali Khan had ordered security personnel to open fire on Pakistan Awami Tehreek (PAT) workers, Express News reported on Friday.

On June 17, at least 14 PAT workers were killed and dozens of others injured in violent clashes between party activists and policemen in Lahore. The confrontation had started when a 15-member police team tried to remove barriers in front of PAT chief Dr Tahirul Qadri’s house and the Minhaj International Secretariat.

While recording his statement before the JIT, Elite Force in-charge Abdur Rauf claimed that Khan had ordered the security personnel to shoot at the protesters’ legs in order to wound them. Rauf added that the security officials had expressed their reservations as they were afraid that wind could alter the trajectory of their bullets, which could cause serious injuries.

Rauf further said that when security personnel did not fire despite the SP’s order, SHO Shaikh Amir Saleem – who was at the scene – complained to the SP, asking him to issue the order again. He said that upon receiving the order again, the personnel had fired around 200 rounds at the protesters.

Also Read: Model Town: Forensic agency says riot evidence no longer available .

Eight Elite Force personnel corroborated Rauf’s statement before the JIT which is expected to record statements of 34 more officers today.

On July 11, the JIT had detained nine policemen for their alleged role in the deaths of the PAT workers.

A senior police official working in the JIT had told The Express Tribune on the condition of anonymity that around 150 police officials who took part in the clashes with PAT workers had been interviewed by the JIT.

“Eight Elite Force personnel and Sabzazar SHO inspector Sheikh Amir Saleem were not allowed to leave after recording their statements for further interrogation,” the official had said.


Report on PAT workers of Model Town Incident

First Published in The Express Tribune, July 11th, 2014.

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