Encounters: Two ‘robbers’ killed by shop owner, six others shot dead by police

Eight suspects were taken into custody in separate raids

KARACHI: Two suspects were killed by a resident of Quaidabad, while six alleged criminals were gunned down in two separate police encounters on Wednesday.

The two alleged robbers tried to loot a mobile phone shop in Quaidabad but when the shop owner, Zahid, resisted their attempts, they shot and injured him. They were fleeing from the scene on a motorcycle when Zahid opened fire at them with his licensed pistol and killed the two near the Murghi Khana stop. Zahid and the bodies were taken to Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre for treatment and autopsies. Zahid succumbed to his injuries during treatment. Police officials said that the deceased suspects have yet to be identified.

In a separate incident, four men were killed during an alleged encounter with the police on Super Highway in Sohrab Goth within the limits of the Sacchal police. The encounter occurred early on Tuesday.

Police officials claimed that the encounter took place when the police raided the criminals' hideout on a tipoff. The suspects were armed and were looting passers-by. According to police officials, the criminals resorted to indiscriminate fire at the police and tried to escape. In the retaliatory fire, four of the suspects were killed. Police officials claim to have recovered weapons from their possession.

Sacchal DSP Qamar Ahmed said that the police were trying to trace their identities and criminal records. Initial investigation suggested that they were involved in various cases of highway robberies and crimes. The bodies were later shifted to Edhi morgue in Sohrab Goth for identification after medico-legal formalities at Abbasi Shaheed Hospital.

Similarly, two alleged target killers were killed during an encounter with the police in Manghopir. Police officials claimed that the encounter took place on Northern Bypass, adding that both the criminals were killed during the gun-battle. The bodies were shifted to Abbasi Shaheed Hospital for autopsies where they were identified as Waseem alias Babar alias Khan, 32, and Hassan alias Shahrukh, 26.

Two pistols and a motorcycle were recovered from their possession. Police officials said that the deceased criminals were wanted by the police in several cases of target killings and crimes. Further investigations are underway.

Busted

Separately, two suspected members of a Lyari-based gang were arrested after an exchange of fire with the police in Mochko.

The arrested men were later identified as Zeeshan alias Mushki and Din Muhammad. Police officials said that the suspects were associated with the Baba Ladla group. Weapons were also seized from them.

Similarly, three alleged robbers were arrested during a shootout with the police in Sohrab Goth. They were identified as Nawab Wazir, Ehsan Hafiz and Rasheed Mushtaq. Police officials said that the suspects were involved in various cases of crime.

Meanwhile, three suspected target killers were arrested by District Central investigation wing. The suspects were identified as Ameer Hamza alias Hamza, Abdul Habib alias Sonu and Azeem. Weapons were also recovered from their possession.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 4^th, 2014.