Rs60m heist suspect killed in Jahanian encounter

Police arrest two suspects injured after shootout during chase

KHANEWAL:

A suspect wanted in a Rs60 million robbery case in Karachi and declared a proclaimed offender in several cities across Punjab was killed in an alleged encounter with the Crime Control Department (CCD) in Jahanian tehsil of Khanewal district, police said on Monday.

According to police sources, the suspect, identified as Zeeshan alias Shani, a resident of Thatha Sadiqabad police station area in Khanewal, was wanted by law enforcement agencies in multiple criminal cases in cities including Multan, Vehari, Khanewal and Bahawalpur.

He was also allegedly involved in a high-profile robbery in Karachi in which valuables worth around Rs60 million were looted.

Police officials said that Zeeshan had been declared a proclaimed offender and was considered a dangerous criminal, with reports suggesting that several notorious robbers from across Punjab had sought refuge with him.

Acting on a tip-off, a joint police and CCD team conducted a raid at the suspect's residence in an attempt to arrest him. However, according to police, the suspect allegedly opened indiscriminate fire on the raiding party. The CCD personnel returned fire in self-defence, and the suspect was killed in the exchange of gunfire.

The body was later shifted to a nearby hospital for legal formalities, while further investigation into the incident is underway.

In a separate incident, police arrested two suspects in injured condition following an alleged encounter in the jurisdiction of Mian Channu City police station.

Police said the suspects, identified as Ahsan Gujjar and Sufyan Gujjar, residents of Jandiali Bangla on Tulamba Road, had reportedly snatched an iPhone from a man identified as Nauman and fled the scene.

Upon receiving information, SHO Arsalan Sahi of Tulamba police station and officials from Mian Channu City police station, including officer Rashid Jutt, launched a chase to apprehend the suspects. During the pursuit, the suspects allegedly opened fire on the police and took positions in nearby fields, continuing to fire at the pursuing officers. Police retaliated, and both suspects were injured in the exchange of gunfire.

Police managed to arrest the two injured suspects and recovered the stolen mobile phone and weapons from their possession.

The suspects were shifted to hospital for medical treatment, while further legal proceedings are in progress.