Bandit killed in ‘crossfire’ with police

A bandit was killed while a constable wearing a bulletproof vest remained unscathed after he sustained a bullet to his chest during an alleged crossfire in the Newtown area of Rawalpindi, sources said Tuesday.

The incident occurred just hours after the garrison city police arrested a suspected robber named Shahab during a crossfire in the Naseerabad area.

According to sources, a police team was busy checking suspicious vehicles and individuals near a public park in the Katarian area within the limits of Newtown police station.

They said when the police personnel signalled three bike riders to stop, they opened fire at the police which was retaliated. “During the exchange of fire, a robber who was identified as Ziaur Rehman alias Jamal Fuqa was injured. The injured robber was rushed to the hospital where he succumbed to his injuries,” they said.

Meanwhile, a bullet fired by the robbers struck Constable Sajeel on his chest. However, he remained unharmed due to wearing a bulletproof jacket. On the other hand, the police mobile van sustained damage as it was hit by a few bullets.

Sources said weapons as well as a motorcycle snatched from a citizen were recovered from the injured robber.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 28^th, 2023.