Three suspects arrested in Dr Akash murder case killed in firing by their accomplices: police
Three suspects arrested in connection with the murder of Dr Akash were killed after their alleged accomplices opened fire on police during an operation in Karachi’s Gulshan-e-Maymar area on Thursday, police said.
"The suspects were taken to identify locations linked to the investigation when the alleged accomplices opened fire, according to police," said Special Investigation Unit (SIU) SHO Mumtaz Meher.
Kumar, a 28-year-old doctor, was shot dead on July 14 after armed robbers intercepted his vehicle near Teen Talwar in Clifton and fled with around Rs2 million he had withdrawn from a bank. The killing sparked widespread outrage among citizens and members of the healthcare community.
According to Meher, the encounter took place near Umar Brohi Goth, where a police officer was also injured during the exchange of fire.
"The deceased were identified as Suresh, Ram Chand and Anil," Meher said, adding that the bodies of the suspects, along with the injured police officer, were shifted to Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre (JPMC) through Chhipa ambulances.
The SIU said the three suspects had earlier been arrested in connection with the murder of Dr Akash, who was killed during a robbery attempt in Karachi’s Clifton area after allegedly resisting a cash snatching bid.
Police said DIG South Asad Raza had announced the arrests of the suspects during a recent press conference.
On July 15, South Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Syed Asad Raza said three out of the five suspects were apprehended from the Defence area in Karachi. Raza said cops registered separate cases under Section 23(i)(A) at the Defence Police Station.
Read: Dr Akash murder case: Karachi court grants seven-day physical remand for three suspects
The DIG also stated that the police had recovered mobile phones, three pistols and a car used for escape following the arrest of the three suspects. He also said the suspects were a part of a larger gang involved in several criminal cases, including robbery and car theft.
Several elected and administrative representatives have condemned the murder of the young doctor, including Sindh Home Affairs Minister Ziaul Hassan Lanjar, Karachi Mayor Murtaza Wahab and Inspector General of Police (IGP) Javed Alam Odho.
The three had been sent on a 7-day physical remand on July 16. Investigating Officer Qasim Tanoli had claimed that the suspects were allegedly involved in the armed robbery during which the doctor was shot dead.
He had further said that the suspects were allegedly involved in several other criminal cases and were also facing a separate case involving the possession of illegal weapons, registered at the Defence Police Station.
The shooting
According to the DIG, the young doctor, along with his father, arrived at a private bank in Clifton Block 7 and withdrew Rs5 million in cash.
“The money was placed in two envelopes. He placed the envelope carrying Rs3 million on the front seat and Rs2 million envelope inside a bag beside him,” the DIG detailed, adding that the family then drove towards another bank near Frere Hall.
Read More: Karachi police arrests 3 suspects over young doctor's murder during Teen Talwar robbery
“Before the victim and his father could get out of the car to enter the other bank, four men intercepted their vehicle on two motorcycles,” he explained, adding that one of the suspects dismounted and opened fire at the bank's security guard, injuring him, and another suspect approached the car’s rear, opened the window and shot Dr Kumar, leaving him critically wounded.
“The assailant then forcibly snatched the envelope containing Rs2 million from Dr Kumar before fleeing with his accomplices on the two motorcycles.”
DIG Raza said the injured young doctor was taken to a private hospital for treatment, where he succumbed to his injuries.