Police encounter in Lahore. Photo: Express (archive)
GUJRANWALA:
Five suspected robbers wanted in dozens of criminal cases were killed during three separate police encounters in Gakhar, Wahando and Garjakh areas of Gujranwala, while seven of their accomplices managed to escape, police said on Sunday.
City Police Officer (CPO) Dr Sardar Ghiyas Gul Khan immediately took notice of the incidents and sought detailed reports from the concerned divisional SPs.
According to the police, the first encounter took place in the jurisdiction of Wahando police station.
SHO Usman Warraich and his team were carrying out routine patrols and quick checks near Bakar Popli when they flagged down four suspicious men riding two motorcycles to stop.
Instead, the suspects allegedly opened fire on the police and fled towards the village of Chak Ramdas.
Police chased the suspects, who continued shooting as they tried to escape through nearby fields.
During the ensuing shootout, two suspects suffered fatal wounds, allegedly caused by bullets fired by their own accomplices. They were taken to hospital but succumbed to their injuries.
The deceased were identified as Muhammad Shahzad Dogar of Phool Nagar, Pattoki and Abid Mochi of Nankana Sahib.
Police said both were members of an inter-district robbery gang and were wanted in more than 30 cases of murder during robbery, armed robbery, highway robbery and theft in Gujranwala, Kasur and Nankana Sahib districts. Two accomplices escaped.
In the second encounter, SHO Gakhar Mandi Aurangzeb Ghazi and other police teams were manning checkpoints near Kot Yousaf when four suspects on two motorcycles allegedly tried to break the blockade and opened fire on the police before fleeing towards Dodaanwali Bridge.
The suspects were chased to the vicinity of Chak Dadan and then confronted near a cemetery in Bagri village.
Despite repeated warnings to surrender, the suspects allegedly continued shooting.
During the exchange of gunfire, two robbers died after being hit by bullets allegedly fired by their own accomplices.
The deceased were identified as Ameer Hamza and Nadeem Masih. Police said they were wanted in more than 25 cases of robbery, street crimes, motorcycle theft and looting of citizens withdrawing cash from banks.
Both had criminal records in Lahore and Gujranwala. Two accomplices managed to escape, while police recovered weapons and a motorcycle from the scene.
The third encounter occurred in Garjakh area where the teams of SHO Rana Adil Iqbal and Inspector Shabbir tried to arrest four suspicious men traveling on two motorcycles near Hafizabad Road.
The suspects allegedly opened fire and fled, leading to a chase and exchange of gunfire.
Police said a suspect, identified as Salahuddin alias Kaku, died during the encounter after allegedly being hit by bullets fired by his own accomplices.
He was reportedly wanted in dozens of cases, including robbery, theft, highway robbery and an earlier police encounter case registered by the Gujranwala Crime Control Department (CCD).
His three accomplices escaped from the scene.
Police said special teams were formed under the supervision of SDPO to arrest the fleeing suspects, while checkpoints were set up across the district.
CPO Dr Sardar Ghiyas Gul Khan said indiscriminate action against criminals and drug traffickers would continue to ensure a peaceful and safe society.
“We will continue our crackdown until criminal elements find no space to operate in Gujranwala and Wazirabad,” he said.
