Dr Akash murder case: three suspects killed in 'encounter'

Police claim they died after accomplices opened fire during raid

KARACHI:

Three suspects arrested in the high-profile murder case of Dr Akash were killed during an alleged police encounter near Northern Bypass on Thursday, while the case took a new turn after a judicial magistrate questioned the circumstances surrounding their deaths, asking how suspects in police custody could be killed.

According to police, the Special Investigation Unit (SIU) team had taken the suspects to Ahmed Brohi Goth in Gulshan-e-Maymar for the identification of their alleged accomplices and hideouts when armed men opened fire on the police party. The exchange of gunfire allegedly resulted in the deaths of the three suspects and injuries to an SIU officer.

The deceased suspects were identified as Suresh alias Sagar, Ram Chand and Anil. Police said all three were arrested in connection with the murder of Dr Akash, who was killed during a robbery outside a bank in Clifton. Their arrests had been announced days earlier by DIG South Asad Raza.

SIU officials said the suspects sustained critical injuries during the crossfire and died before reaching hospital. A police head constable was also injured and was shifted to Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre, where his condition was stated to be out of danger.

Police said the attackers used 9mm pistols and 12-bore weapons during the assault, adding that efforts were underway to trace the accomplices who escaped from the scene.

However, the matter drew judicial scrutiny when the investigating officer submitted a report before the Judicial Magistrate South. During the hearing, the officer told the court that the three suspects were killed by gunfire allegedly fired by their own accomplices during the raid.

The magistrate questioned the police account, remarking, "What do you mean they were killed? They were in police custody."

The investigating officer told the court that the suspects had been taken to the area to help police arrest their associates when the attack took place. He said the suspects and a police official were injured in the firing and were shifted to hospital, where the accused were declared dead.

The court accepted the report as part of the judicial record and adjourned the hearing.

Separately, Sub-Inspector Qasim Tanoli submitted reports in four other cases registered against the deceased suspects. He said senior officials had directed investigators not to comment beyond the official version of events.

Police have described the incident as an alleged encounter. The official account has not been independently verified.