Cop, three others killed in shootout
A policeman and three suspected robbers were killed in an exchange of fire in Cattle Colony area, in the remits of Sukhan Police Station on Tuesday.
According to officials, a patrol team of Sukhan Police signaled a gang of robbers near Basti Graveyard, Bhains Colony. The suspects, said the police, were attempting to flee after looting milk shops near the graveyard. When they saw the police approaching, they opened fire and killed one policeman on the spot.
The police added that the three suspects, who were on a motorcycle, were injured when the cops opened retaliatory fire at them.
The deceased cop, identified as Syed Noman Shah, 31, and the three injured suspects, identified as Muhammad Usman, Hamid and Zeeshan, were shifted to Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre in police custody.
The police said that the suspects succumbed to their wounds during treatment. Their identities were ascertained through biometric verification via the National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA).
According to Sukhan SHO SM Ghaiyoor, the deceased suspects had been booked in over 15 cases at different police stations. They habitually looted milk retailers in Cattle Colony at gunpoint. Moreover, he said, they were identified as robbers by four citizens.
A case was lodged against the dead suspects for Shah's murder under sections of the Anti-Terrorism Act.
Meanwhile, the funeral of the policeman was held at the Garden Police Headquarters.
Police higher ups and loved ones of the deceased attended the last rites.
Published in The Express Tribune, May 19th, 2021.