Six robbers killed in ‘encounter’

Police rescue doctor’s family taken hostage at home

LAHORE:

Six men who had allegedly barged into the home of a doctor and taken his family hostage were killed in an encounter with the Organised Crime Unit (OCU) and Iqbal Town police in the College Block on Saturday.

Reportedly, the six robbers carrying sophisticated weapons had barged into the house of Dr Ibad. Two of them stood guard at the gate, while four other took the family hostage at gunpoint and started looting it.

A girl present inside a room upstairs made a call to police helpline 15. Teams of police operations wing and the Organised Crime Unit responded to the call.

On seeing police, the suspected robbers resorted to firing.

The police retaliated and a heavy contingent of the force, including OCU SP Furqan Bilal and Iqbal Town DSP Muhammad Ali Butt rushed to the spot.

The encounter continued for around an hour, during which all the suspects died of bullet wounds.

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Teams of experts, including those from the Punjab Forensic science Agency (PFSA), collected evidence from the crime scene, while the bodies were moved to a morgue for autopsy.

Police said they were investigating the matter further.

The deceased suspects were identified as Ali Raza, a resident of Mian Channu, Imran Mehar, Chand, Ali Raza Rana, Waseem Chima and another man named Waseem, all from Vehari.

During a visit to the house in Iqbal Town, Inspector General of Police Dr Usman Anwar appreciated the OCU and operations wing teams for the operation against robbers who had taken the family hostage.

He said the police teams had responded immediately to the helpline call and excellent coordination and teamwork were ensured between the OCU and the operations wing to counter the robbers.

Dr Anwar said that despite the fierce firing by the robbers, the police team had killed all of them in counter firing.

He directed the police to be on high alert to protect the citizens and to spare no effort in fighting crime and offering public service.

Residents of the locality said while speaking to reporters that immense fear and panic had spread in the area during the firing.

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Police and forensic teams sealed the house and collected evidence after the incident.

DSP Irtiza Kumail said the police had reached the crime scene within minutes. The entire area had been cordoned off to prevent any collateral damage.

The official said the police were looking into the criminal record of the suspects killed in the encounter.

IG Anwar also met the affected family, enquired about its safety and assured it of security.

He announced that that the department would request reward and medals for all the police officers involved in the operation for thwarting the crime and ensuring safety of citizens.

He said the immediate and effective response from the Lahore police to the distress call had played a crucial role in ensuring the safety of the residents and none of them had been injured during the encounter.

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Meanwhile, Masti Gate police arrested two suspected members of a gang of robbers. The arrested suspects were identified as Islam and Akram.

The police said they had seized Rs30, a mobile phone, a motorbike and illegal weapons from the possession of the suspects who were involved in several incidents of robbery and snatching.

A number of cases were traced to them during initial investigations. The police said they were investigating the matter.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 19^th, 2023.