VEHARI: Five suspects were killed after an attempted robbery in Burewala city, some 45km from here, on Friday afternoon.

The suspects forcibly entered the house of Mirza Jawed, a UK-based businessman who was visiting his hometown, in New Model Town of Burewala. They took the family hostage in a room. One of the family members informed police through Whatsapp.

Model Town police led by Station House Officer (SHO) Malik Tahir Aziz reached the house. On seeing police, the suspects opened fire on them that was retaliated. Two hours later, the five suspects were found dead.

According to SHO Aziz, the suspects used a car with a fake registration number. They were identified as Ziafat, Naeem, Imran, Sajid and Raja Khawar.

District Police Officer (DPO) Muhammad Saleem told Dawn the suspects were involved in dozens of cases of dacoity and murder in Sargodha. Police seized five 9mm pistols and a number of bullets.

He said these pistols were only used in anti-terrorist operations by security forces. Police were collecting criminal data from various towns, including Sargodha, Kamalia, Khushab, and other cities of the province.

He added the bodies were sent to the Burewala THQ Hospital for autopsy.

Published in Dawn, August 6th, 2016