Robbery suspect held in police encounter

Accused, identified as Muhammad Ali, was injured in exchange of fire

RAWALPINDI:

Police claimed to have arrested a suspect involved in a house robbery during an encounter in the Naseerabad area of Rawalpindi on Tuesday. The accused was allegedly injured in the exchange of fire with the police. According to a police spokesperson, the incident occurred when a suspicious vehicle was signalled to stop during a routine snap check in Naseerabad. The suspect opened fire, prompting the police to retaliate.

According to the spokesperson, the arrested individual, identified as Muhammad Ali, is a wanted criminal and a proclaimed offender in multiple house robbery cases. The police recovered a Honda City car, a mobile phone, and a pistol that had been stolen a few days ago from the Westridge police station area.

Senior police officials, including the Chief Police Officer (CPO) Syed Khalid Hamdani, arrived at the scene with a police contingent to assist in apprehending the suspect's accomplices, who managed to flee. A search operation was launched to capture the absconding criminals.

CPO Hamdani praised the efforts of Potohar SP, Cantt DSP, and the Naseerabad police for their courage in neutralising the suspect and recovering the stolen property. He emphasised that criminals who attack the lives and property of citizens and law enforcement will not escape justice.