Investigation Exposes Police Involvement in Dr. Shahnawaz Kunbhar’s Murder

Sindh Home Minister Ziaul Hassan Lanjar has revealed that Dr. Shahnawaz Kunbhar, accused of blasphemy, was killed in a staged police encounter. The investigation committee led by DIG Pervaiz Chandio found that the encounter was fake, and police officers were involved in the killing .

Dr. Kunbhar was taken into protective custody on September 18 and transferred to Mirpurkhas, where he was shot dead by Sindhri police the next day. The police claimed it was an encounter, but the investigation report states that Mirpurkhas police killed him in a managed encounter and tried to give it a legal cover but failed.

The incident sparked widespread public outcry, leading to the suspension of key police officials, including the Mirpurkhas DIG, SSP, and other officers. Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah took notice of the incident and ordered the suspension ¹.

The investigation report analyzed CCTV footage, police documents, social media content, call data records, and tracker data. It recommended that Dr. Kunbhar’s family members file a first information report (FIR) for murder and suggested strict departmental action against police personnel involved ¹.

Key Findings:

• Staged Police Encounter: Dr. Kunbhar was killed in a managed encounter by Mirpurkhas police.
• Police Involvement: Police officers were involved in the killing.
• Suspension of Officials: Mirpurkhas DIG, SSP, and other officers were suspended.
• Investigation Report: Recommended FIR for murder and strict departmental action against police personnel.

Next Steps:

• Compensation for Dr. Kunbhar’s family will be announced by CM Murad.
• A new DIG has been appointed.
• The committee investigating the FIRs will comprise two SSPs from Umerkot and Shaheed Benazirabad