Trader murder suspects killed in 'shootout'

Three suspects allegedly involved in the fatal shooting of a trader during a robbery were killed in a police encounter in the Saddar Beruni area of Rawalpindi after offering strong resistance.

According to police, the suspects had robbed a general store on Adiala Road in Shahpur Syedan, looting Rs70,000 and killing the shopkeeper upon resistance before fleeing the scene.

While police were searching for the suspects, a call was received on the emergency helpline reporting that three motorcycle-riding robbers had held up a citizen at gunpoint in Dhoke Baba.

A police team attempted to intercept the suspects, who fled and, upon being pursued, took positions in a nearby wooded area and opened fire on the police.

A constable, Fahad, was struck by a bullet but remained unharmed due to his bulletproof jacket, while a police vehicle sustained damage in the exchange of fire. Police returned fire, resulting in all three armed suspects being killed.

Stolen property, including a motorcycle and weapons, was recovered from the scene. Police identified the deceased suspects as Sarfraz, Abdullah, and Asghar, stating they were previously involved in multiple robbery cases and had a criminal record.

The complainant who had reported the robbery also identified the suspects as those who had robbed him earlier.

Senior police officials reached the scene, and the bodies were shifted to the hospital for post-mortem examination.