A fugitive, who had injured a police officer and stolen a government-issued rifle earlier this month, was killed in an alleged police encounter near Lodhran, police confirmed. Two of his accomplices managed to escape.
A police spokesperson said a tip-off was received about three armed individuals on motorcycles in the Basti Mesh area on Wednesday. When police reached the scene, the suspects opened fire on the police vehicle. In retaliation, the police returned fire. During the exchange, one suspect, identified as Muhammad Shahbaz, was killed by what police claim was gunfire from his accomplices.
Shahbaz was a known criminal with a record of nine cases against him.
Authorities revealed Shahbaz had killed a man during a robbery last year and was injured in an alleged police encounter on November 10, 2023.
On December 12, he escaped from a hospital after injuring a police officer and stealing a government-issued rifle, which was recovered along with ammunition at the scene of the encounter.
Upon receiving information about the incident, DSP Saddar Khalid Javed and SHO Saddar Aamir Nadeem, along with additional personnel, arrived at the location.
The accomplices, however, managed to flee under the cover of darkness. A search operation continued late into the night in nearby areas to apprehend the fugitives.
Meanwhile, in a separate incident, a trailer driver traveling from Karachi to Rawalpindi was shot dead by an unidentified assailant in Lodhran.
According to a case filed by Sub-Inspector Muhammad Nawaz of Saddar Police Station, authorities were alerted about a body found near Adda Shahnawaz, lying next to a 22-wheeler trailer.
Upon arrival, police discovered the deceased, identified as Shakeel Ahmed, a resident of Liaquatpur, Rahim Yar Khan. The victim had been shot three times in the chest.
Shakeel had reportedly left Karachi on December 27, transporting batteries to Rawalpindi. His body was sent to the DHQ Hospital for post-mortem examination.
However, the autopsy had not been completed by late night. Police have registered a case and initiated an investigation.
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