Law and order: Four killed in two ‘shootouts’

3 killed by Cantonment police in Multan, one by Balochni police in Faisalabad.

MULTAN/ FAISALABAD:

Four suspects were killed in separate incidents in Multan and Faisalabad early morning on Friday in, what the police said, were shootouts.

Of the three robbery suspects gunned down in Multan, two were identified as Iqbal and Illyas. Superintendent of Police (Cantonment) Mansurul Haq told The Express Tribune that the deceased were wanted in more than 50 cases in police stations across southern and central districts of the province. He said the cases against the two men included kidnappings of ransom, murders and robberies. He said they had recently escaped a shootout with Chiniot police. Two of their accomplices had been killed in the encounter, he added.

The police had yet to identify the third deceased.

Police said two of the three suspects were killed in shootout during a chase after they had escaped a police picket in Khairpur Bhutta. The third apparently suffered bullet injuries in the exchange of fire between the suspects and the police at the picket. He was found lying unconscious some kilometers ahead of the picket. Police said he was being taken to Nishter Hospital but he died on the way. They said none of the policemen suffered any injury during the encounter. The vehicle used in the chase was damaged from gunshots by the suspects, they added.

The suspects were escaping after a robbery attempt in Qasim Bela Colony.

They had tried to snatch cash from Qasim Arshad, a shopper, but fled after the latter resisted and attracted the attention of passers by in the area. He said he was carrying Rs200,000 when the robbers intercepted him.

Cantonment police station house officer Yousuf Haroon said the police were trying to track down two of the deceased for two months. He said they were wanted in several robberies. He said there had been no paperwork in the robbery attempt and the killings as no complaint had yet been received.

Proclaimed offender killed

In Faisalabad, a proclaimed offender was gunned down by Balochni police following a shootout near Saim Pull. The police said his accomplice managed to flee. SSP Sadiq Dogar said the PO had opened fire at a Factory Area police team chasing him and his accomplice. The police returned fire, killing him on the spot.

Published In The Express Tribune, June 16^th, 2012.