The Supreme Court on Friday issued directives to concerned authorities, asking them to pay compensation to the heirs of those who were killed in the Red Mosque (Lal Masjid) operation. A three-member bench led by Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry was hearing identical petitions. At the outset of hearing, the Chief Justice inquired from Assistant Inspector General (AIG) Operations Tahir Alam about the categories of those killed in the operation.
Upon which, Deputy Attorney General Babar Ali informed the bench that as many as 11 were the personnel of security forces, three were innocent passers-by and 89 people were militants who were in a "state of war with the armed forces." Upon this, the CJP asked him to explain how they were in a state of war. The CJP also asked him whether or not he had any evidence to show that those people were involved in militant activities. He further inquired from Alam: "Have you recorded statements of the legal heirs of the deceased?"
The bench also summoned the then acting Inspector General of Islamabad Police, Shahid Nadeem Baloch, to appear and explain his position on his commitment that he had shown in accomplishing the task as per his undertaking before a sessions judge in Islamabad. The court also asked Islamabad Police to register an FIR on the complaints of the parents who had said their sons were missing and police were not investigating the matter. Later, the bench adjourned the hearing of case for two weeks.
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