Salman Yousafzai

PESHAWAR: Sixty-year-old Mudir Khan had left his home district Kurram in search of peace in Peshawar. But, he could not find peace even in the city and was hit by a bullet when he came in the middle of police and gandamars (mini-smugglers).

On July 29, Mudir was going home with his wife and daughter when the unfortunate incident occurred in Phase 3, Hayatabad. He was hit by a bullet that was aimed at gandamars, however, police have refused that he was hit by the police fire. He was rushed to Hayatabad medical complex where he succumbed to injuries the same day.

While talking to TNN his maternal nephew Zabita Khan said that Mudir was living with them for the last one year in Peshawar and was planning to shift back to his native village after Eidul Azha however just days before Eid, he was laid to rest by thousands of mourners in his ancestor village in Sadda, Kurram District. Late Mudir has passed most of his life in Dubai and was returned permanently to Pakistan for the last one year. He left behind four daughters, four sons and a widow.

His nephew lamented that the tribal people have always been subjected to violence not only in their own areas but also in the city. Police have rejected that he was hit by a bullet fired by the policeman but was hit in a crossfire with mini-smugglers.

The victim’s family said that police is trying to rescue policemen and maligning the name motorcycle riders. He said that his wife and daughter are the prime witnesses who have also snatched nameplate from the policeman, who has fired the shot. The family said they will seek justice, they will hold protests against the police but at present, they are passing through shock and mourning due to their elders’ sudden death.

Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Operations Zahoor Afridi in a press conference said that police was following Gandamaars when they exchanged fire. He added they Mudir Khan come in the middle and was hit by a bullet.

The Tribal Youth Movement (TYM) also demanded justice and said that they will stand side by side with the victim family to secure justice. Idrees Khan, President of the (TYM) has said the TNN that they have assured the family that they will fight for their rights till the family secure justice.