'Drug offender' fatally shot during alleged escape attempt

KARACHI:

Two policemen from Paposh Nagar police station were booked on Thursday after a suspected drug offender was shot dead while reportedly attempting to escape custody on Wednesday.

According to the FIR, 30-year-old Abbas, a resident of Chandni Chowk, Paposh Nagar, was under police custody following his arrest on Tuesday night in a narcotics case. Police claimed to have recovered crystal meth (commonly known as ice) from his possession, after which he was handed over to the investigation wing for further interrogation.

The FIR states that when Abbas was being escorted from the lock-up to the investigation officer's room, he suddenly fled the premises and was chased by Constables Izharul Haq and Khadim Hussain. The cops reportedly caught up with him near the railway bridge adjacent to the police station, where a scuffle ensued.

The FIR further states that during the altercation Abbas tried to snatch the official weapon of Constable Izhar. In the ensuing struggle, the weapon went off and the bullet struck Abbas in the neck. He died en route to Abbasi Shaheed Hospital.