Alleged killers of constable apprehended

SHO survives a bullet to the chest thanks to a bulletproof vest

LAHORE:

Police claimed to have arrested two suspects allegedly involved in the murder of a constable.

The suspects, Sameer Charia and Faraz, were injured during a police encounter in the Ibrahim Hyderi precincts, however, on the investigation, it turned out that they had shot and injured Constable Salahuddin, who later died of his injuries.

Salahuddin had tried to stop the suspects when they were fleeing after committing a robbery on December 12.

Ibrahim Hyderi police arrested Charia and Faraz last night and recovered weapons, a stolen motorcycle, and other items from them. Their accomplice managed to escape.

According to SSP Malir Irfan Bahadur, the arrested suspects have confessed to killing policeman Salahuddin during the preliminary investigation.

Weapons used in the firing on the police personnel have also been seized from the possession of the arrested suspects and sent for forensics.

He further said that the armed suspects also opened fire on the police during the encounter last night. A bullet struck SHO in the chest, however, he remained safe as he was wearing a bulletproof vest. The bullets also hit the police mobile.

The SSP said that the arrested suspects are professional criminals and have been arrested several times in cases of robbery, motorcycle theft, and carrying illegal weapons.

Also last night, a group of suspects looted a mobile phone and cash from a citizen in Shah Latif Town which was recovered from the possession of the arrested suspects. The motorcycle recovered from the arrested suspects was stolen from the area of Awami Colony. The fugitive accomplice of the arrested suspects is also involved in firing on the martyred policeman. The investigation has been started by registering cases against the arrested suspects.

Most wanted criminals nabbed

The West Police conducted targeted operations in Manghopir and Peerabad areas of Mushki Para, Garm Chashma, Mianwali Colony and other areas and arrested five most wanted suspects including Khurram Zaman, Abdullah, Zubair alias Babu, Tariq and Ghulam Nabi belonging to banned organiSations. The police recovered three improvised explosive devices, 2,320 grams of hashish, cash and mobile phones from their possession.

In this regard, West SSP, Sohai Aziz said that the arrested suspects Khurram Zaman and Abdullah belong to banned organisations. The arrested accused Tariq is also a former member of the Lyari Aman Committee.

He said that the arrested suspects used to patronise and lead drug trafficking gangs in different parts of the city and provide assistance in drug supply and their source of livelihood is to supply and sell drugs.

According to the SSP, the arrested suspects have previously been arrested and jailed in Sindh and other provinces, details of which are also being sought. Investigation has been started against the arrested suspects by registering cases under the Explosives Substance Act and Control of Narcotics Substances Act in the police stations concerned.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 5^th, 2022.