Bank robberies: Suspected robber killed, accomplice held

The gang was taken into custody by the SIU police during a raid in SITE

KARACHI: The police claim to have killed a suspected bank robber and arrested his companion in an alleged encounter in New Karachi.

An alleged robber was killed and his companion was arrested during an encounter with the police near the Power House Chowrangi within the limits of the New Karachi police at around 2:30pm.

Police officials said that the two suspects were trying to enter the bank in a robbery bid when they were informed. The police immediately reached the site. DSP Irshad Bhutto said that the culprits opened fire at the police in an attempt to escape. He added that one of the suspects was killed in the retaliatory fire while the other was injured and placed under arrest.

The deceased and the injured were shifted to Abbasi Shaheed Hospital for autopsy and medical treatment where they were identified as Deedar Ali alias Pappu and Ali Shahnawaz, respectively. A motorcycle and two pistols were also recovered from their possession. A case has been registered.

Gang of robbers

Separately, the SIU police claim to have arrested a gang allegedly involved in bank robberies in a raid in SITE. Their arrests were disclosed during a press conference held by SIU chief SP Farooq Awan at his office. The suspects were identified as Rashid alias Kashmiri, Saeed Ahmed, Tariq Khan and Mazhar Naseem.

Awan further said that during interrogation, the suspects revealed to have looted at least four banks. He said that Kashmiri was also involved in a cracker bomb attack at the Tipu Sultan police station about two months back.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 10^th, 2014.