Police official injured in alleged encounter

The officer is said to be in critical condition

KARACHI: A police official was injured in an alleged encounter with suspected robbers in Landhi No. 4 on Monday. The officer was shifted to the Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre (JPMC), where his condition was said to be critical.

According to Korangi SSP Ali Raza, the SHO of Landhi Police Station, Saadat Butt, was injured in an encounter with at least six alleged street criminals near Jubilee Market.

The suspects managed to flee under the cover of fire.

The injured police officer was shifted to the JPMC, where the medico-legal officer said that SHO Butt had sustained a bullet injury in the lower back. The SHO was shifted to the Aga Khan University Hospital after being administered first aid at the JPMC on the directives of DIG Amir Farooqui.

Speaking to media at the medical facility, where the injured cop's family members and senior police officials were also present, SSP Raza said that SHO Butt had been operated on immediately but was still in critical condition and was being kept under observation.

The encounter

According to SSP Raza, the incident occurred when SHO Butt was on patrol in a police mobile. Six suspected dacoits on three motorcycles were scouring the area. On receiving the information, the SHO intercepted four of the suspects, who opened fire. The police too responded with gunfire.

While the police officials had the four dacoits engaged, two of their accomplices opened fire from behind. However, none of the suspects or any other police official, besides the SHO, was injured in the crossfire. 

Published in The Express Tribune, July 30^th, 2019.