Two suspects killed, police official injured in exchange of fire

Police signaled car to stop near Akhtarabad in Quetta, suspects opened fire instead. PHOTO: INP/ FILE

QUETTA: Police gunned down two suspected terrorists during an encounter near Akhtarabad, an area close to Hazara Town in Quetta on Monday. A police official was also injured during the exchange of fire.

Chief Minister Nawab Aslam Raisani announced a reward worth Rs 500,000 for the police party that successfully killed the alleged terrorists and assured their promotion.

According to Deputy Inspector General (DIG-Operations) Qazi Wahid, police signalled a car to stop near Akhtarabad for inspection but the suspects did not stop. When police along with personnel of the Anti Terrorism Force (ATF) chased the car, the suspects opened fire at them injuring one of policeman Riaz. Two ATF personnel were also shot in the chest but they remained unhurt as they were wearing bullet-proof jackets.

“Two terrorists were killed when police fired back. Police also recovered two 9mm pistols, four other pistols, a Russian made hand grenade, seven fake registration number plates and two National Identity Cards,” Wahid told reporters while addressing a press conference at his office.

The bodies were shifted to Bolan Medical Complex for autopsy and later kept in a morgue. The identity of the suspects could not be ascertained as police said investigations are underway.

DIG-Operations further claimed that the suspects were the members of a group of target killers in Quetta. “They wanted to target some people in Quetta but timely action by police foiled their attempt,” he said.

Responding to a query, Wahid said that the ID cards recovered from the suspects appear to be either stolen or fake and were sent to the National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) for verification.

With increasing incidents of sectarian target killing in Quetta, Wahid said strict security measures have been put in place in the provincial capital.

Law enforcement agencies have arrested six target killers in the last few days.