3 'robbers' killed, as many flee during encounter

Armed suspects opened fire at police near Daya Ram Bridge; stolen valuables recovered

DEPALPUR:

Three suspected robbers were killed, while three others managed to escape during an alleged police encounter in Depalpur on Thursday.

A police party signalled to stop six suspicious motorcycle riders for checking at a police checkpoint near Daya Ram Bridge within the jurisdiction of Depalpur City police station, on which they opened fire on the police and tried to escape.

As a result of indiscriminate firing, three robbers were killed on the spot after being shot by their own accomplices, while three managed to flee from the scene.

Depalpur City Police Station SHO Saeed Bhatti told The Express Tribune that six robbers had snatched cash, motorcycle and mobile phone from a citizen, Shahid at gunpoint in Chak Shah Muhammad Bodla area within the remits of Depalpur Saddar police station and escaped.

Cash, weapons, stolen motorcycle and other items were recovered from the possession of the slain robbers, while a search operation was underway to apprehend the escaped robbers.

DPO Okara, Muhammad Rashid Hidayat, told The Express Tribune that the robbers killed in the police encounter were identified as Fakhar Hayat alias Fakhri, a resident of Okara, who was involved in 27 serious crimes; Bashir Ahmad, a resident of Vehari, involved in 16 serious crimes; and Mujahid, also from Okara, who had 18 criminal cases against him and was a wanted fugitive in a robbery case registered at Saddar Police Station Chunian, District Kasur.

All three were involved in serious crimes across various police stations in Lahore, Kasur, Vehari, Mailsi, Luddan, and Okara.

DPO praised the proactive efforts of SHO City Depalpur and his team, stating that police will continue to take all necessary measures to protect the lives and property of citizens. The robbery victim, Shahid, told The Express Tribune that he was travelling from his village Chak Shah Muhammad Bodla to Depalpur city when he was intercepted by six armed robbers who snatched his cash, motorcycle, and mobile phone.