'Robber' killed in police encounter

Accomplice of deceased flees after crossfire

LAHORE:

A suspected robber was killed during an alleged police encounter in the Shadbagh area.

According to police, two robbers snatched cash and mobile phones from a citizen before fleeing toward a nearby forested area. After receiving information about the incident, a police patrol team launched a chase.

The police said the suspects opened fire upon seeing the personnel, prompting an exchange of gunfire. After the firing stopped, one of the suspects was found critically injured.

He was shifted to a hospital but he succumbed to his injuries.

He was identified as Syed Sajjad.

Officials stated that the suspects' firing also damaged a police vehicle, after which the police retaliated.

According to police record, the deceased suspect was allegedly involved in around 180 cases of robbery, theft and other criminal activities.

A search operation was under way to arrest the fleeing accomplice of the deceased, while investigations into the incident continued.

Meanwhile, SP Bilal Ahmed paid surprise visits to several checkpoints and issued instructions to strengthen vigilance.

Directing all officials to maintain a courteous attitude towards the public, he also stressed the need to maximise the use of the e-Police App for verifying the data of suspicious individuals.

He instructed all officials to ensure wearing bulletproof jackets on duty.

The mobiles SP said police deployed at checkpoint frontlines would perform their duty while fully equipped with weapons to ensure a swift response to any security threat.