KARACHI: A minor girl and a passer-by man were killed when they were caught in crossfire between police and fleeing robbers in New Karachi on Saturday evening, according to police officials. The girl’s mother also suffered injuries.

Central SSP Muqaddas Haider said that three robbers were fleeing on a motorcycle after having robbed the owner of a meat shop near Dua Chowk in sector-5, New Karachi, of cash and valuables when a patrolling police party caught up with them.

Police fired at the bandits who fired back as they fled, leading to the death of a passer-by identified as Sadiq in crossfire, he said.

Police chased the robbers and got close to them when they were stuck in a traffic jam near Sindhi Hotel where another shootout took place and unfortunately, another passer-by, three-year-old Anushay, was killed while her mother, Ambreen, 25, suffered injuries, he said.

One of the robbers identified as Abid was arrested after he fell injured while his two accomplices managed to escape, he said.

The mother’s condition is out of danger.

The officer said the wounded suspect told the police that he and his friends were released from prison on bail just a week ago.

Police found a pistol, a stolen motorcycle and a cell phone in the possession of the injured robber.

The bodies and the wounded were shifted to the Abbasi Shaheed Hospital.

Young man shot dead

A young man was shot dead in the Supermarket area on Saturday evening, police said.

Ubaid Mubeen, 28, was shot at and wounded critically by gunmen in Liaquatabad C-Area. He was taken to the Abbasi Shaheed Hospital, where doctors declared him dead.

SHO Shahnawaz said the suspects did not take away anything and the police were trying to determine if the killing was linked to a botched robbery or some other motive.

Published in Dawn, August 9th, 2015

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