'Wanted' criminal among two killed in police encounter

HALA:

Two suspects, including a high-profile car snatcher wanted by Sindh police, were killed in a police encounter near New Saeedabad Toll Plaza on Friday.

Matiari SSP Abdul Aleem Bullo told reporters that Hyderabad police had alerted Matiari police that suspects were fleeing from Karachi in a snatched Vigo. Police set up a checkpoint at New Saeedabad Toll Plaza and signalled a suspicious vehicle to stop. The occupants opened fire on the police mobile instead, leading to an exchange of fire in which both suspects died.

SSP Bullo identified the main suspect as Manzoor Bafa alias Barkat Ali Bugti. Police records showed more than 34 cases registered against him in Karachi police stations including Shara-e-Faisal, Gulistan-e-Jauhar, Gulshan-e-Iqbal and Shah Latif. The cases involved car lifting, robbery and sale of snatched vehicles.

The second suspect was identified as Sohail Lashari. Police have taken the vehicle and other evidence into custody. Further investigations into Lashari's criminal record and other aspects of the case are underway, the SSP added.