A 17-year-old intermediate student was killed by a stray bullet during an alleged police encounter in Karachi’s Landhi area, raising fresh questions about public safety during armed operations.

The incident occurred near Landhi No 6, close to the Chiragh Hotel, where Komal, a first-year student, was travelling in a rickshaw with her mother and brother while returning home to Lines Area after visiting her grandparents.

Rescue officials said the bullet shattered the rickshaw’s glass and struck Komal, killing her on the spot. She was the only sister of two brothers.

Family members said police personnel present at the scene told them that an encounter was underway at the time.

Komal was initially taken to Sindh Government Hospital and later shifted to Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre. The rickshaw driver was also injured due to broken glass.

Confirming the incident, SSP Korangi Fida Hussain Janwari said the firing occurred during a face-to-face exchange between police and suspected robbers.

He said two armed men had snatched Rs300,000 and a mobile phone from a citizen outside a bank in Korangi 5½.

“As the suspects were fleeing, they spotted a police mobile on another road and opened indiscriminate fire,” the SSP said.

Police retaliated, resulting in one suspect being injured and arrested. Weapons and the stolen mobile phone were recovered from him, while the second suspect escaped with the cash and remains at large.

A key question, police said, is whether the bullet that killed Komal was fired by police or by the robbers. To determine this, a fact-finding team has been formed under the supervision of a DSP.

SDPO Landhi Faiza Sodhar has been appointed head of the investigation committee, with the SHO Landhi and the SIO of Awami Colony included as members.

The committee has been directed to submit its report at the earliest.

SSP Janwari said a transparent investigation would be conducted and assured that justice would be ensured for the deceased girl.

Komal’s father, Laiq, said his daughter was returning home after visiting her grandparents when the firing erupted.

“The rickshaw’s glass was shattered. Allah knows whose bullet hit her,” he said, questioning who the family should turn to for justice.