Haq's Musings: Karachi's "Dirty Harry" Chaudhry Aslam Killed by Taliban
“As a Muslim, my faith tells everyone has to die one day. I’m not afraid of it.”
The above quote is from Police Superintendent Chaudhry Aslam Khan, the head of Karachi City's anti-terror operations, who was a brave cop indeed. He ran out of luck today after flirting with death every day for decades. He was killed in a suicide attack near Essa Nagri at the Lyari Expressway in Karachi on Thursday. May his soul rest in peace!
SP Chaudhry Aslam Khan RIP
Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) has claimed responsibility for the "successful" attack, according to media reports. TTP central spokesman Shahidullah Shahid told Newsweek Pakistan: “Chaudhry was on our hit-list. He was directly involved in killing more than 50 mujahideen and anyone who dares to launch an operation against the mujahideen will be our target."
Earlier in the day, an anti-terror team led by Aslam conducted a raid along the Northern Bypass in the Manghopir area of Karachi and claimed to have killed three militants. A policeman also suffered injuries during the raid.
Chaudhry Aslam Khan had been shot at dozens of times in his career. He survived a massive bomb attack in September 2011 which left a huge crater where his home stood in Karachi's Defense Society neighborhood.
A 2011 Guardian newspaper story described Aslam in the following words: "Few know the dark streets as well as Aslam, a grizzled police veteran of 27 years' experience. Profane, chain-smoking and usually armed with a Glock pistol, he has earned a controversial reputation as Karachi's version of Dirty Harry – the cop who will do whatever it takes to keep the peace."
For those unfamiliar with "Dirty Harry" character, it is the name of a fictional San Francisco Police Department Homicide Division Inspector "Dirty" Harry Callahan which was immortalized by Clint Eastwood. Dirty Harry has come to symbolize a no holds barred cop who relentlessly pursues bad guys to remove them from the streets.
Chaudhry Aslam was a very courageous officer who put his life on the line to protect the citizens of Karachi. It will be extremely difficult, if not impossible, to replace such a dedicated and committed police officer.
Haq's Musings: Karachi's "Dirty Harry" Chaudhry Aslam Killed by Taliban
“As a Muslim, my faith tells everyone has to die one day. I’m not afraid of it.”
The above quote is from Police Superintendent Chaudhry Aslam Khan, the head of Karachi City's anti-terror operations, who was a brave cop indeed. He ran out of luck today after flirting with death every day for decades. He was killed in a suicide attack near Essa Nagri at the Lyari Expressway in Karachi on Thursday. May his soul rest in peace!
SP Chaudhry Aslam Khan RIP
Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) has claimed responsibility for the "successful" attack, according to media reports. TTP central spokesman Shahidullah Shahid told Newsweek Pakistan: “Chaudhry was on our hit-list. He was directly involved in killing more than 50 mujahideen and anyone who dares to launch an operation against the mujahideen will be our target."
Earlier in the day, an anti-terror team led by Aslam conducted a raid along the Northern Bypass in the Manghopir area of Karachi and claimed to have killed three militants. A policeman also suffered injuries during the raid.
Chaudhry Aslam Khan had been shot at dozens of times in his career. He survived a massive bomb attack in September 2011 which left a huge crater where his home stood in Karachi's Defense Society neighborhood.
A 2011 Guardian newspaper story described Aslam in the following words: "Few know the dark streets as well as Aslam, a grizzled police veteran of 27 years' experience. Profane, chain-smoking and usually armed with a Glock pistol, he has earned a controversial reputation as Karachi's version of Dirty Harry – the cop who will do whatever it takes to keep the peace."
For those unfamiliar with "Dirty Harry" character, it is the name of a fictional San Francisco Police Department Homicide Division Inspector "Dirty" Harry Callahan which was immortalized by Clint Eastwood. Dirty Harry has come to symbolize a no holds barred cop who relentlessly pursues bad guys to remove them from the streets.
Chaudhry Aslam was a very courageous officer who put his life on the line to protect the citizens of Karachi. It will be extremely difficult, if not impossible, to replace such a dedicated and committed police officer.
Haq's Musings: Karachi's "Dirty Harry" Chaudhry Aslam Killed by Taliban
