Former Malir SSP Rao Anwar. Photo: File

KARACHI: Sindh Police failed to arrest suspended Malir SSP Rao Anwar in connection to Naqeebullah Mehsud killing case as a three-day deadline given by the Supreme Court expired today.

Naqeebullah, a 27-year-old native of Waziristan, was among four suspected terrorists killed in an ?exchange of fire? with a police team led by the then-Malir SSP Rao Anwar on January 13 in Shah Latif Town, Karachi. Following claims of innocence from Naqeebullah's family, an inquiry committee was formed, after which Anwar and the raiding police party officials went into hiding. An FIR was registered against Anwar and his associates, owing to their no-show and alleged involvement in the case.

An inquiry committee, headed by Counter-Terrorism Department Additional IG Sanaullah Abbasi, submitted its report on the case to the Supreme Court on Friday, which stated that Naqeebullah was killed in a 'fake encounter' with the police.

Meanwhile, Inspector General of Police (IGP) Sindh AD Khawaja Sunday wrote a letter to intelligence agencies, seeking their help in arresting Rao Anwar in Naqeebullah killing case.

Sindh IGP seeks help of intelligence agencies for Rao Anwar's arrest

More than 30 hours have passed but Anwar is yet to be arrested

The Sindh IGP has requested the intelligence agencies to provide technical and intelligence assistance for Anwar's arrest.

The letter read that Anwar reached Islamabad through a Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) flight in the morning on January 20 and that he attempted to flee to Dubai from Islamabad airport on January 23, but was barred by FIA Immigration officials.

Sindh Inspector General of Police Allah Dino Khawaja urged the former Senior Superintendent of Police Malir Rao Anwar to ?face the court? and adopt a ?legal course? rather than evading detention.

While speaking to media outside the Supreme Court on Saturday, IG Khawaja weighed in over the ?disappearance? of the former Malir SSP. He said: ?I think that he [Rao Anwar] should face the court and court a legal course. The court will listen to his legal arguments.?

Responding to a question about SC?s order to arrest Rao Anwar within the next three days, IG Khawaja remarked: ?We will try our best to arrest him.?

Naqeebullah case: SHC sends six policemen on seven-day remand

The police had sought a 14-day remand of the suspects

Cellular data confirms Anwar was present on site of 'encounter'

An analysis of cellular data has confirmed former SSP Malir Rao Anwar was present at the scene of the ?police encounter? where Naqeebullah Mehsud was killed along with three other suspected terrorists.

A technical analysis of Call Detail Records (CDRs) of the cell numbers in use of Rao Anwar and his eight close associates shows that the police officials were present at the scene of the encounter, an investigative report on the incident revealed on Saturday.

Among Anwar?s associates present at the scene were ASI Khair Muhammad, SI Muhammad Anar, ASI Gada Hussain, SI Amanullah Marwat, SI Shoaib, HC Faisal Mehmood, HC Mohsin Abbass and PC Raja Shamim, the report stated.