Suspected thief dies in 'police encounter'

RAWALPINDI:

An alleged car thief was killed and a motorcycle snatcher was arrested in two separate police encounters in Rawalpindi's Chakri and Cantonment areas.

According to a spokesperson for the police, the police had set up a checkpoint in the RA Bazaar area after receiving a report of a stolen car. The suspects were confronted within the jurisdiction of Chakri police station, where they opened fire on officers while attempting to flee, he said.

"In the ensuing shootout, one car lifter was shot dead, while two others managed to escape. The stolen vehicle and weapons were recovered," he added.

The deceased suspect, identified as Tariq, was a known offender with a criminal record involving multiple car theft cases in Islamabad, Rawalpindi, and Lahore, the police said.

He had previously been arrested in 2020 after firing at a police patrol in the Cantt area. In a separate incident, a police patrol in the Cantt area attempted to stop suspicious motorcycle riders for a routine check.

The suspects opened fire on the officers, prompting retaliation. The police spokesperson said one suspect, identified as Adil, was injured and arrested.

A stolen motorcycle from the Cantt area was recovered from his possession. Police have launched a search operation for the suspects who managed to escape.