RAWALPINDI: A suspected robber died after his accomplice opened fire on a police team at Chakri Road early on Tuesday morning, police said.

According to the police, the two suspects were trying to snatch a car from a citizen when they were confronted by a patrolling team.

Waqas Rajput, a resident of Dhoke Syedan, in an FIR stated that he left his house for Chakri early on Tuesday. As he reached near Dhoke Par Mor, he found the road blocked by heavy stones.

He said as he got out of his car to remove the hurdles, two motorcycle riders appeared from the roadside. One of the suspects put a pistol on his head and attempted to board the car.

Mr Rajput said he overpowered the gunman but the other person on the motorcycle threatened him to release him.

As he was scuffling with the suspect, a police patrolling team reached the spot and the suspect opened fire on the officials but the latter narrowly escaped.

The FIR said as Mr Rajput released the suspect, the police opened fire into the air and warned the suspect to surrender. However, the other man on the motorcycle opened fire to help his accomplice flee.

As a result, a bullet hit his accomplice who fell on the ground and died on the spot. In the meanwhile, the other suspect sped off.Robbery incidents have become common in Rawalpindi as a man was robbed of Rs3.5 million by four armed men in Sadiqabad on Monday.

Malik Habib lodged an FIR with the police stating that his brother Malik Saeed sold his house and was returning after collecting Rs3.5 million from the buyer from a bank in Satellite Town.

He said as Mr Saeed reached near Haji Chowk, four men riding motorcycles had blocked the road. He said as Mr Saeed tried to move ahead from a narrow space, two of the motorcycle riders got slightly hit by his car and fell.

He said as he got out of his car to see the motorcycle riders, their accomplices shot and injured him.

The robbers then snatched the cash from the car and escaped.

Published in Dawn, October 21st, 2020