Minor girl killed, constable injured in ‘encounter’

Victim caught in exchange of fire during raid to arrest suspected robber

DIJKOT:

During a raid to apprehend a robbery suspect, a seven-year-old girl was killed and a police constable was injured who was later shifted to the hospital for treatment.

The raid was conducted by Sub-Inspector Haq Nawaz at Sadar Tandianwala Police Station targeting Ali Raza alias Billa Ahmed, a suspect involved in various crimes in Chak 396 GB. As the police approached, the suspect opened fire indiscriminately, injuring Constable Muhammad Javed.

Despite the injury, the suspect managed to escape with the police officer's motorcycle, but it broke down shortly after.

Attempting to flee on foot, the suspect was pursued by the police. In the ensuing exchange of gunfire, seven-year-old Ayesha, who was playing nearby, sustained a fatal gunshot wound to her head. She was rushed to THQ Hospital Samundari, where she succumbed to her injuries.

Meanwhile, Constable Javed Iqbal was transferred to Allied Hospital Faisalabad for treatment. The authorities, including SP Saddar Division Shamsul Haq Durrani and DSP Tandianwala Masood Nazir, arrived at the scene, and the deceased girl's body was taken into custody for post-mortem examination. Police launched raids to apprehend the fleeing suspect. City Police Officer Captain Retired Muhammad Ali Zia took cognizance of the incident, and SP CIA formed teams under Abid Hussain Zafar's leadership to capture the suspect.

Additionally, a detailed report of the incident was requested from SP Sadar Division, which is overseeing raids in various locations.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 28^th, 2024.