RAWALPINDI: Two suspected robbers were killed, while a shopkeeper and a police official were injured during an encounter at Saidpur Road on Tuesday.

The encounter took place when a group of three suspected robbers allegedly raided a shop. The third suspect managed to escape on foot and efforts are underway to arrest him.

Waqas Ahmed, owner of Ahmed Fabrics said in his statement that he was at his shop with salesman Mohammad Nawaz Khan, 65. Three riders got off a motorcycle in front of his shop and entered it, holding pistols in their hands. The armed men threatened Ahmed and Nawaz and asked them to give up cash, however, Nawaz refused and attempted to overpower one of the gunmen. He was shot and injured.

The suspects panicked and escaped, leaving their motorcycle behind when Nawaz was injured, he added.

SP Rawal Division Mazhar Iqbal told Dawn that police started a chase after they received the emergency call. Police reinforcement of Banni, New Town and Pirwadhai were called to assist Banni Police, who started the chase.

The suspects opened gunfire at the police party, which resulted in Head Constable Kafeel Tariq getting injured. Two of the suspects were shot; one died on the spot while the second was critically injured.

The injured suspect died while he was being shifted to the hospital. Raids are underway to arrest the third suspect while the deceased were shifted to the hospital for postmortem.

Published in Dawn, July 29th, 2020