RAWALPINDI: Two policemen were killed and two others along with a civilian injured when suspected robbers opened fire on them at Peshawar Road early on Sunday, the police said.

One of the fleeing robbers also died after being hit by a speeding van, whereas his accomplice escaped on a motorbike.

The police identified the deceased officials as head constable Nadir Khan Niazi and constable Mohammad Imran. The injured constables Usman, Khurram and civilian Ijaz Shah were being treated at the District Headquarters (DHQ) Hospital. The suspected robber, who was killed on the road, was identified as Imran.

In a press release, City Police Officer (CPO) Israr Ahmed Khan Abbasi claimed that the patrolling police team was attacked by two suspects riding a motorcycle when they were stopped for questioning.

A police official, who did not want to be named, told Dawn that a Muhafiz Squad, comprising head constable Nadir Khan and constables Imran, Usman and Khurram, was patrolling on Peshawar Road when they stopped a motorcyclist at 3:45am and asked him to show the documents.

However, he said, the citizen could not present the registration book on which the police escorted him to the Naseerabad police station to impound his motorcycle.

While going towards the police station, the policemen spotted a man scuffling with two persons near the passenger waiting shed installed outside Kohinoor Mills on Peshawar Road. As the police officials stopped to know the reason behind the scuffle, the two suspects opened an indiscriminate fire on the police.

As a result, Nadir Khan sustained a bullet injury to the chest and died on the spot while constables Imran, Khurram and the civilian, Ijaz, sustained injuries, he said.

He said as one of the suspected robbers started crossing Peshawar Road while firing into the air, a speedy van going towards Golra Mor hit and injured him critically. The suspect later died while being taken to hospital. The second robber escaped on a motorcycle, he said.

Rescue 1122 shifted the deceased police official and the injured, including the suspected robber, to the DHQ hospital where constable Mohammad Imran also died.

When contacted, Station House Officer (SHO), Naseerabad, Malik Tahir told Dawn that unidentified motorbike riders opened fire on the Muhafiz Squad personnel.

He said the personnel were going to the police station to impound a motorcycle when they spotted two armed men trying to rob a citizen. The armed men attacked the police officials, he added.

A case has been registered against the robbers and an investigation is underway, he said, adding the man who was being robbed disappeared from the scene.

The funeral prayer of the two policemen was held at the Police Lines in which Regional Police Officer (RPO) Wisal Fakhar Sultan Raja, SPs Ameer Aslam Niazi, Mohammad Ateeq Tahir and other officers participated.

The body of Nadir was later sent to his native town of Mianwali and that of Mohammad Imran to Gujar Khan for burial.

Published in Dawn, July 18th, 2016