Three killed in ‘police encounter’
PHOTO: FILE
An alleged encounter between police and six motorcyclists on Jhang Road resulted in the death of three suspected robbers and injuries to others.
The incident occurred on Saturday evening when robbers stole cash and mobile phones from Arslan Ali, Rasheed and Aslam before fleeing towards Pansira.
Police said they blocked the “robbers” escape route, prompting them to open fire on police personnel.
During the ensuing exchange of gunfire, Head Constable Zawar Hussain suffered a gunshot wound, but his bulletproof jacket saved him from serious injury. Local residents also gathered on the spot.
One of the suspects was killed and two others injured in the crossfire. The injured suspects were taken to the Allied Hospital where they died of their injuries.
Police claimed they had seized three pistols, Rs22,300, 11 mobile phones and fake identity cards from the possession of the suspects.
Police registered a case against the suspected robbers who escaped after the encounter. Officials said they had launched a hunt for the suspects.
The bodies were handed over to the families of the deceased following the postmortem examination.
Last Friday, a “robber” who had been trying to flee after committing a crime was killed in alleged encounter with police.
Besides, a Dolphin constable and two civilians sustained injuries “due to the firing by the robbers”, police claimed.
“Motorcycle-riding bandits” had allegedly snatched Rs35,000 in cash, an identity card, a wristwatch and a mobile phone from a citizen, Zahid, near Arfa University on Satyana Road in the jurisdiction of Saddar Police Station and fled towards Awan Wala, they said.
Dolphin personnel, Adnan, Akash, Omer, Aamir, Osman and others blockaded TNT Colony for the search of the accused as the victim, Zahid, had told the police about the appearance of the alleged bandits, police said.
Meanwhile, four motorcycle-riding robbers allegedly opened fire on Dolphin Police personnel as soon as they saw them, injuring a passerby, Mubashir Nazir, police claimed.
The “robbers” entered Naimat Colony’s main market where they stopped their motorcycles and opened fire on the Dolphin team pursuing them, injuring Constable Akash and a labourer, Qaiser Shehzad, they said. Police managed to arrest an alleged bandit, Bilal.
Upon identification of the suspect, Bilal, police, along with the suspect, raided a place near Gut Wala to arrest the absconders.
Police alleged the accused opened fire on the police party. As a result, Bilal was killed.
Published in The Express Tribune, May 8th, 2023.