Two detained ‘robbers killed by accomplices’

Police cordon off area, launch search operation to find attackers

OKARA:

Two suspected robbers were shot dead allegedly by their own accomplices in the city on Saturday.

Two policemen were seriously injured in the attack after the gunmen opened fire on a police van which was taking the suspects for identification of other suspected robbers near 27/2L, Saddar police station. The two suspected robbers who were handcuffed in the police van died on the spot.

The assailants took advantage of the dark and managed to escape. Police cordoned off the area and launched a search operation to find the fugitives.

Rescue 1122 team provided medical aid to the injured policemen and shifted the bodies of the slain robbers to the hospital for postmortem.

According to DPO Faisal Gulzar’s spokesperson Chaudhry Khalid Jutt Olakh, the police party of Saddar Okara police station was carrying the suspects Asif and Alam Sher for identification of other suspected robbers.

As the police van reached 27/2L area, when suddenly the unknown accomplices of the suspected robbers who were present at the site opened fire on the police van in an attempt to help Asif and Alam escape police custody.

Read Police catch ‘robber’ after shoot-out

Policemen Amjad and Sarfraz were seriously injured while dangerous robbers Asif and Alam were killed. Meanwhile, the armed accomplices fled the crime scene.

DPO Faisal Gulzar took notice of the incident and ordered the arrest of the attackers.

The DPO said, “Both the accused were dangerous robbers. There are 34 cases registered against the slain Alam Sher. Police are conducting further investigations in this regard while the absconding accused will be arrested soon.”

Police encounter involving the death of robbers were not uncommon in the province.

On October 8, Three alleged robbers were killed in two separate police encounters in Chichawatni.

Reportedly, Station House Officer (SHO) Sadar Jahanzeb Wattoo along with a police team was patrolling near Kotla Adib Shaheed when the cops signalled three suspects riding a motorcycle to stop. Instead of stopping, the suspects opened fire on the police and tried to escape.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 17^th, 2021.