Rikshaw driver killed, two injured in crossfire

A suspected robber was arrested from a hospital

LAHORE: A rickshaw drive was killed and a woman was injured after the vehicle was caught in crossfire between the police and suspected robbers. Sabzazar Police have registered an FIR under murder, attempt to murder and other charges against two suspected robbers.

A suspected robber who had also suffered bullet injuries but managed to flee was also arrested from a hospital when he came for treatment. The FIR was registered on the complaint of Sub-Inspector Nadeem Kamboh.

The complainant in his complaint said he was on patrolling duty with a police team in Hanjarwal police limits. Meanwhile, two suspects riding a motorcycle passed from there. The suspects were hiding their faces with masks.

The police signaled them to stop them. Instead of stopping at the checkpoint, the motorcyclists opened fire on police. During a chase on different streets, the suspects kept shooting at police van.

When the suspects reached Awan Town, they found a gridlock there on which they started driving on a one-way street in the wrong direction towards Scheme Morr Sabzazar.

In this chase between police and robbers, a rickshaw was caught in crossfire. The rickshaw driver, a woman and a motorcyclist suffered bullet injuries in the incident.

Police once again warned the suspects to stop firing and surrender but the suspects tried to flee towards Kharak Nullah under the cover of fire. After a long chase, police arrested a suspected robber while the other fled from the scene.

Police recovered bullets, pistol and motorcycle from the custody of the suspect. The suspect was identified as Qasim while Javed had managed to flee.

The deceased rickshaw driver was identified as Abdul Malik. The injured woman was identified as wife of the rickshaw driver. Police claimed that both the suspected robbers were hardcore criminals and had been involved in many cases. A police officer said another suspect was arrested from a local hospital.

The suspect had suffered bullet injuries during exchange of firing. He was arrested when he went for treatment at a hospital. The suspect was admitted for treatment by his wife with a fictitious name.

As the suspect had suffered bullet wounds, the hospital administration informed the police for medico-legal formalities.

When police got involved and found the statements of the wife of the injured suspicious.

After a short investigation, the woman unfolded the truth before police.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 9^th, 2018.