Fleeing suspect killed in road crash

Shehzad was struck by speeding mini-truck

VEHARI:

A suspected thief died during an attempt to escape from police custody by being struck by a speeding vehicle.

According to the Crime Control Department (CCD), SHO Shahid Ishaq Gujjar was transporting Shehzad alias Shahid, a suspect in a theft case, from Chak 198 EB to be handed over to Mailsi police station after completing legal formalities.

The accused complained of chest pain and managed to unshackle himself when the police vehicle stopped. As he attempted to flee, he jumped out of the official vehicle and was fatally hit by a fast-moving Shahzor pickup coming from behind.

Police shifted the body to DHQ Hospital Vehari, and a case has been registered against the driver for reckless and negligent driving.

Meanwhile, in a separate operation within the jurisdiction of Sahuwala police station near Bridge 297 EB, police signaled three armed suspects on a motorcycle to stop at a checkpoint. The suspects ignored the warning and opened fire while fleeing.

In the exchange of fire, one of the robbers was fatally shot, reportedly by his own accomplice's gunfire while the other two escaped toward Umarpur Bangla. Police recovered a pistol from the scene.

The deceased was identified as Zafar Iqbal, a resident of Fatehpur Chishtian, who was wanted in at least 54 cases involving robbery, theft, murder, and other serious crimes.

His body was also shifted to the DHQ hospital for postmortem examination. Law enforcement agencies have formed search teams to apprehend the two fleeing suspects. Suspect Dies After Jumping from Police Vehicle.