Two suspected robbers killed in encounter in Lahore
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Two suspected robbers were killed while five others including a woman and a child, were left injured in a police encounter in North Cantonment on Wednesday.
SHO Sarwar Road and two police constables were also injured in the incident.
Police said a citizen made a call at Police Emergency Helpline 15 about a robbery bid in Guldasht Town. Chowki Incharge Guldasht Town Atif Salman responded to call with police deployment.
When they intercepted the suspected robbers, they resorted to firing. He called for re-enforcements. The police teams, including SHO Sarwar Road Farooq Azam, of nearby area responded to the call.
Police encircled the area and an exchange of fire ensued between suspected robbers and the police. As a result of the encounter, seven people including two suspects suffered bullet wounds and later succumbed to injuries.
SHO Farooq Azam, two constables, a 10-year-old boy and a woman also received bullet injuries. They were admitted in Lahore Services Hospital for treatment.
On information of the encounter, heavy contingent of police rushed to the spot and cordoned off the area. They also collected forensic evidence and shifted the bodies to a morgue for autopsy.
CCPO Lahore Ghulam Mehmood Dogar and DIG Operations Sajid Kiyani also visited Lahore Services Hospital to inquire after police officials’ health.
The identity of the suspects could not be ascertained so far.
Meanwhile, a mobile-footage also surfaced in which the officials of local police and Dolphin Squad could be seen climbing a rooftop and resorting to indiscriminate firing at the suspects.
They could also been seen taking shelters from firing. Senior police officers were investigating into the matter.
Just a few days back, mobile phone footage of the arrest of two suspected robbers whom police claimed to have killed in an encounter in Kahna area of Lahore on Sunday evening has raised questions about whether it was a case of an extrajudicial killing.
The DIG operations suspended the police personnel involved in the incident and ordered the SSP to conduct an inquiry.
Published in The Express Tribune, March 25th, 2021.