Suspected car thief killed in police 'encounter'

RAWALPINDI:

A suspected car thief was killed while two of his accomplices managed to escape during an alleged police encounter within the jurisdiction of Morgah Police Station, police said on Friday.

The deceased, identified as Alamzeb Khan, had previously been arrested and formally charged in over a dozen criminal cases in Rawalpindi and Islamabad. A stolen vehicle was also recovered from his possession.

According to police, personnel from the Crime Control Department (CCD) were conducting snap checking when three suspicious individuals in a car opened fire on the officers. In the retaliatory fire, one suspect was killed and two others fled the scene.

The deceased was identified as Alamzeb, a known offender with a criminal record related to vehicle theft in the twin cities. According to police records, Alamzeb had nine cases registered against him in 2023 alone, in Islamabad's Ramna, Nilore, Karachi Company, Kohsar, Shalimar, and Noon police stations. All cases were registered under Section 381-A, pertaining to vehicle theft.

Additionally, four more cases were filed against him at Sadiqabad Police Station in Rawalpindi. Despite multiple arrests and formal charges being submitted, the suspect had repeatedly secured release on bail.

The police said that that Alamzeb's body has been moved to a hospital for a post-mortem examination. Efforts are underway to apprehend the two fleeing suspects.