HYDERABAD: Three robbers allegedly associated with banned militant outfits were gunned down in an ‘encounter’ on Friday after police caught up with them when they were trying to escape away with the cash looted from a private bank branch in Liberty market area and a wounded comrade who was shot at by a policeman.

The dead were identified as Fahad Memon alias Saad, a resident of Wahdat Colony Hyderabad; Asadullah Pathan alias Khalid of Quetta, and Manzoor Arain alias Naseebullah, a resident of Iqbal Shah Colony Hyderabad, according to police.

SSP Irfan Baloch said the robbers who died in the encounter and their accomplices belonged to banned outfits but “it remains to be confirmed which organisations they were associated with, whether Al Qaeda, Lashkar-i-Jhangvi or TTP”.

According to eyewitnesses, a six-member gang riding two motorcycles struck at the private bank branch in Liberty area, one of the busiest areas of the city.

Four entered the bank and held the staff and customers hostage while one mopped up around at Rs1.3 million, according to bank staff.

Eyewitnesses said that one of the robbers fired a shot inside the bank which alerted a police constable, Iqbal, deployed at nearby National Savings Centre branch, who fired shots in the air to deter them.

When the robbers came out they targeted Iqbal but he remained unhurt and returned the fire, hitting Fahad.

The robbers, however, managed to escape away with the looted cash and the wounded accomplice, who was bleeding profusely, they said.

The robbers sped towards Golden Plaza off Honda Palace road in Bhitai Town where they put up. A police party led by DSP CIA Aslam Langah and SHO of Market police station, Munir Abbasi, reached there after being tipped off by area people who had gathered to catch the robbers red handed while the critically wounded, Fahad, was being given first aid.

Police arrested all three and recovered four pistols and two motorcycles used in the robbery. Later, according to police, they were taken to Wahan ki Wasi area within the jurisdiction of Bohdani police station to get the looted money when the police party came under attack from the remaining three accomplices.

In the exchange of fire, the three were killed while the attackers managed to flee, said a police source.

The accomplices were identified as Naeem alias Noman Pathan, who was said to be from Afghanistan and chief of a local banned outfit; Shahzeb alias Rafay, a resident of Noorani Basti Hyderabad and Hamza, a resident of Allahwala Chowk Hirabad, said the source.

The source said they were working for banned outfits and connected with their Quetta-based chief through a social media group.

Police claimed the gang was involved in back to back killings of members of Dawoodi Bohra community in the city in Nov 2012 besides armed robberies.

“Fahad was always instrumental in planning and logistical support for the gang and used to send money to Quetta,” said the source.

Market police have lodged FIR No 92/16 on a complaint lodged by bank manger, Furqan Ahmed Memon, for Rs1.3 m robbery.

Published in Dawn, July 23rd, 2016