October 14, 2007	Sunday	Shawwal 1, 1428

LAHORE, Oct 13: A robber was killed by police during a heist at a residence in Defence police precinct on Saturday.

Yaqoob Masih, of Missan Kalar (Sheikhupura), said to be in his late forties, was shot twice by police responding to a Rescue 15 call for help made by a family in Defence on Saturday morning, the Defence supervisory police officer told Dawn.

He was taken to a hospital where he gave up the names of two accomplices to the robbery, Rani Bibi and Irshad Masih, before succumbing to his injuries.

Earlier, police had received a call for assistance from the residence of Safiya Begum, a widow, living at E block, New Iqbal Park.

She and her son were in the front room when the three robbers, including a woman, barged into the house and demanded cash and valuables at gunpoint. Another family member, who was upstairs, heard the commotion and called the Rescue 15. A patrol car in the area was dispatched and reached the residency, the SPO said.

A police team, led by a sub-inspector, found one of the robbers Yaqoob Masih stood at the front gate, acting as lookout. Upon spotting the police, Masih panicked and opened fire while attempting to flee. The police responded by shooting him twice in the side, with the second bullet causing him to fall to the ground.

He was apprehended and taken to hospital where he died. Meanwhile, the other two accomplices made good their escape by climbing over the wall. The family claims they took away approximately Rs60,000 worth of valuables, including cash, mobile phones and jewellery.

The CCPO Lahore has announced Rs50,000 cash award for the three police officials involved in the incident, he added.

Sweeper killed: A 24-year-old employee of a food chain restaurant was killed when the rifle of a petrol pump security guard went off accidentally in Kot Lakhpat police precincts on Saturday.

Kot Lakhpat SHO Kamran Zaman told Dawn that Afzaal Masih of Sheikhupura and his colleague Shahzad, working as sweepers at Yasir Broast on Ferozpur Road, went to their friend Amjad at nearby filling station for a gossip.

He said Shahzad in the meantime left for purchasing some cigarettes leaving Afzaal and Amjad at the filling station.

During discussion, Amjad tried to pick his rifle but his fingers touched its trigger as a result it went off and a bullet hit Afzaal.

Amjad got confused and managed his escape while Afzaal, a father of two, succumbed to his injuries at Lahore General Hospital.

The SHO said a murder case would be registered against Amjad, a resident of Karachi, on the complaint of Afzaal’s father Nazir.

The body was shifted for autopsy.

ACCIDENT: A 40-year-old motorcyclist was knocked down and killed by a speeding bus near Do Morya Bridge on Saturday.

The Edhi officials said Saeed of Lal Pul Saeed Park was riding a motorcycle (LRV-8696) when a speeding bus (LRJ-3945) hit him, killing him on the spot.

The bus driver was captured by passersby and handed over to the police. —Reporter