Cop, suspect killed in ‘encounter’

Robber's accomplice apprehended, weapons seized

KARACHI: A police official and a suspected robber were killed in an alleged encounter in Nasiri Goth, Surjani Town, on Friday.

The police arrested the deceased suspect's accomplice and confiscated weapons from his possession.

Two police officials were reportedly patrolling in the area when they noticed two suspects on motorcycles trying to rob citizens. When the officials approached the suspects, the latter opened fire on them, leading the police to fire back at them.

As a result of the encounter, 45-year-old policeman Mehboob Ali was shot and injured, while a suspect, identified as Faisal, died on the spot.

Passers-by tried to shift Ali to a hospital in a rickshaw but he succumbed to his injuries before reaching the hospital.

Meanwhile, the residents apprehended and beat up the second robber, later handing him over to the police.

According to West SSP Fida Hussain Janwari, weapons were confiscated from the possession of the arrested suspect, namely Kosar alia Munna, who also confessed to his involvement in various other robberies.

Janwari also revealed that Ali was a retired army official who had joined the provincial police force in 2014. Ali was laid to rest after his funeral prayers were offered at the Garden police headquarters.

Further investigation is being carried out.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 23^rd, 2020.