Meeting with the police in Lahore. Photo: Express (file)
GUJRANWALA:
Five suspected robbers wanted in dozens of criminal cases were killed in three separate encounters with police 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 cognizance of the incidents and sought detailed reports from the concerned divisional SPs.
According to the police, the first confrontation took place within the jurisdiction of the Wahando police station.
SHO Usman Warraich and his team were carrying out routine patrols and snap checks near Bakar Popli when they signaled 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 pursued the suspects, who continued shooting while attempting to flee through nearby fields.
During the ensuing shootout, two suspects were fatally injured, apparently caused by bullets fired by their own accomplices. They were taken to hospital but died from 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 over 30 murder cases during robbery, armed robbery, highway robbery and robbery in Gujranwala, Kasur and Nankana Sahib districts. Two accomplices fled.
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 breach the blockade and opened fire on the police before fleeing towards Dodaanwali Bridge.
The suspects were chased near Chak Dadan, then confronted near a cemetery in Bagri village.
Despite repeated warnings to surrender, the suspects reportedly continued shooting.
During the exchange of gunfire, two robbers were killed after being hit by bullets allegedly fired by their own associates.
The deceased have been identified as Ameer Hamza and Nadeem Masih. Police said they were wanted in more than 25 cases involving thefts, street crimes, motorcycle thefts and looting of citizens withdrawing money 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 took place in Garjakh area, where teams of SHO Rana Adil Iqbal and Inspector Shabbir attempted to arrest four suspicious men riding two motorcycles near Hafizabad Road.
The suspects allegedly opened fire and fled, leading to a pursuit and an exchange of gunfire.
Police said a suspect, identified as Salahuddin alias Kaku, was killed during the clash after being hit by bullets fired by his own accomplices.
He was allegedly wanted in dozens of cases, including robberies, robberies, highway robberies and a previous police encounter case registered by the Crime Control Department (CCD), Gujranwala.
His three accomplices fled.
Police said special teams under the supervision of SDPOs had been formed to arrest fleeing suspects, while checkpoints were established 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 no longer find space to operate in Gujranwala and Wazirabad,” he said.
