LAHORE: An alleged robber, who suffered a gunshot wound in a crossfire on Multan Road late on Sunday, succumbed to his injury at Jinnah Hospital on Monday, police said.

The heirs of deceased Ghulam Abbas alias Abbasi gathered outside the hospital and raised slogans against the Sabzazar police for conducting what they alleged a fake encounter.

However, police denied the charge and said the man was a wanted criminal. The family said Ghulam Abbas along with his friend Asad Naseem alias Hafiz was on his way when the police stopped him at a picket.

Sabzazar police said they stopped two motorcyclists on suspicion but the suspects fired on police. During a crossfire, a robber got injured and both fell on the ground.

Police arrested them and recovered two pistols with six bullets and seized a motorcycle, a cash of Rs40,000 and two jewellery items.

Police said the injured was shifted to hospital. Both robbers were wanted in different cases.

The deceased’s family after receiving the body alleged that some drunk policemen killed Abbas over exchange of words at a picket on Multan Road.

The protesters demanded action against the police officials after a high-level inquiry.

Saddar Division SP Ijaz Shafi Dogar told Dawn that Abbas was wanted in many cases. “We are ready to face inquiry by a judicial commission if constituted on the request of the family.”

ROBBERIES: Robbers plundered cash, jewellery and other valuables worth Rs4.8 million in six major strikes in the provincial capital on Monday.

Four gunmen entered the shop of Sultan in Fazil Market in the Lohari Gate police station area and looted jewellery and precious stones worth Rs3 million.

Three gunmen barged in the house of Malik Naveed in Johar Town, held the family hostage at gunpoint and took away cash and valuables worth Rs450,000.Two robbers stopped Saqib Akram on Defence Road in Chuhng and fled after snatching Rs600,000 in cash from him.

Some robbers stormed into the house of Noor in Liaquatabad and looted Rs105,000 cash.

Robbers broke into the house of Shakir Hayat in Santnagar, Islampura police station jurisdiction, and made off with cash, jewellery and other valuables worth Rs400,000.

Some thieves took away cash and valuables worth Rs313,000 from the shop of Imran.

Published in Dawn, September 2nd, 2014