Amid heavy deployment of LEAs, Karachi knife-attacker remains at large

KARACHI: The police have deployed personnel from its specialised cells and a heavy contingent to solve the mystery of knife attacks in the city, but even after 15 days, the accused remains at large.

Sindh IGP A.D Khawaja is under immense pressure to nab the person or persons responsible for the attacks. According to recent reports, the IG has taken force from specialised task forces into the loop.

The IGP has given the task of arresting the knife attacker to personnel of Anti-Car Lifting Cell, special investigation units that operate against dacoits and extortionists, Anti-Violent Crime Cell and the Counter-Terrorism Department.

Karachi knife attacker suspected to be involved in similar Punjab attacks: CM Sindh

Attacks in Punjab's Chichawatni area started in 2013, left 50 women injured

Moreover, personnel in civil clothes have been deployed in areas that have so far come under target – Gulshan-e-Iqbal and Gulistan-e-Jauhar. Police have also issued sketches of the accused and a few photos of the suspect.

The police have numerous theories, including copycat attacks and an organised group operating within the city.

The suspect, who has posed quite a challenge to the authorities, remains at large, evading arrest and baffling authorities after a fresh spate of knife attacks on women, concentrated mainly in the Gulistan-e-Jauhar and Gulshan-e-Iqbal areas.

Karachi knife attacks 'suspect' inflicted self-injury after leaves request rejected: police

Man will be released after he records a statement with the police, says police official

Recently, police arrested a person suspecting him to be the infamous attacker but released him after he confessed to inflicting the injury on himself as his employer denied him leaves. 

Some similarities have been noticed across all the incidents: the attacker reportedly attacks with his left hand using a sharp object, wears a helmet and rides a red motorcycle.

Karachi Police released pictures and CCTV footage of the suspect last week, wherein the assailant can be seen riding a motorcycle moments before attacking one of the victims.

"The suspect appears to be a thin man, aged 20-29," DIG East Sultan Khawaja said, adding that "he appears to be 5 feet, 7-9 inches tall" and usually rides a red motorcycle.

Following the renewed spate of attacks, Chief Minister Sindh Syed Murad Ali Shah slammed the police for failing to arrest the suspect and directed IG Police to arrest the attacker immediately.

Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari also took notice of the knife attacks on women and ordered immediate arrest of the culprits involved.

“PPP will not tolerate [these] attacks on innocent women. These terrorists are challenging our nation by attacking our women,” he said in a statement.

The PPP chairman also asked the judiciary to direct the police to ensure protection of women.