'Wanted car jacker' killed in 'CCD encounter'

RAWALPINDI:

A suspect was killed while his two accomplices escaped after opening fire on a Crime Control Department (CCD) team near Nullah Leh in Gawalmandi, Rawalpindi, on Saturday.

The deceased was identified as Raja Zeeshan alias Shani, a resident of Dhoke Chiragh Din, who had previously escaped from police custody.

CCD sources said the team reached the area near a local imambargah in Gawalmandi following reports of suspicious activities involving three individuals. The suspects allegedly opened fire on the police team, triggering an exchange of gunfire during which one suspect was killed, while the other two fled while firing.

Sources said a .30-bore pistol and ammunition were recovered from the deceased.

According to police, Zeeshan was accused of shooting and injuring a constable who had traced a stolen vehicle a few days earlier. He was also accused of shooting Constable Amjad dead.

Police said the suspect was wanted in dozens of vehicle theft cases in Rawalpindi, Islamabad and other areas, as well as cases involving kidnapping for ransom, murder and attempted murder. CCTV footage of one of the vehicle theft incidents had also emerged.