SUKKUR: MPA Jam Mehtab Hussain Dahar narrowly escaped death in an indiscriminate firing on the vehicle he was travelling in on Sunday. One of his bodyguards was killed and three other persons were wounded in the attack, which took place on a link road near the Batri Wahi area in Ubauro taluka of Ghotki district.

Jam Mehtab has accused former MPA from the area Shaheryar Shar of being behind the attack. Shar’s response to the allegation was awaited till late in the evening.

Sources in the area suggested that the vehicle carrying MPA Jam Mehtab was suddenly surrounded by a heavily armed group of tribesmen, who fired on the vehicle from all sides instantly killing

one bodyguard, Zafar Dahar, and wounding three other people, identified as Asad Shah, Akhtar Pathan and Channesar Dondho.

MPA Dahar escaped unhurt in the attack, sources said. He has asked the Ghotki SSP Dr Samiullah Soomro to direct the SHO of Khenjo police station to register his FIR against former MPA Shehryar Shar. However, the SSP has requested him to wait until he could seek necessary directives from the higher authorities in this regard.

Speaking to the media after the attack, Jam Mehtab claimed that Shaheryar Shar was watchful of his movement while he [Jam Mehtab] was leaving for his farmlands on Sunday. He believed that Shar would definitely have then finalised the attack plot.

The MPA also claimed that his sources had informed him that Shar was discussing the plot with some people over phone. He said he, however, decided to face whatever would happen to him.

Jam Mehtab said he had now spoken to the Sindh chief minister and IGP over the incident.

SSP Dr Samiullah Soomro, speaking to Dawn, said that he along with Ubauro DSP Abdul Qadir Soomro and a strong contingent of police had rushed to the specified spot after receiving information about the attack. The entire area was cordoned off to prevent the attackers from slipping away, he added.

Regarding Jam Mehtab’s desire to book Shaheryar Shar as mastermind of the attack, the SSP said the MPA would have to submit such a written application and allow time to seek directives from the higher authorities.

Published in Dawn, March 17th, 2025